State ethics office investigates Connecticut diocese as lobbying group

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Diocese of Bridgeport sues for First Amendment violation

Comments: 11

Bishop William Lori

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Bridgeport, Conn., May 29, 2009 / 05:16 pm (CNA).- In response to its efforts to fight a bill that would have redefined the financial and pastoral structure of the Catholic Church in Connecticut, the Diocese of Bridgeport is now being investigated by the Office of State Ethics (OSE) for acting as a lobbying group without registering as one. Today, the diocese filed a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the investigation.

According to the Diocese of Bridgeport, a letter was received on April 23, 2009 from Thomas K. Jones, Ethics Enforcement Officer for the OSE, who informed the diocese that it was "the subject of an Office of State Ethics evaluation." The Church is suspected to have violated several Connecticut General Statutes (1-94, 1-95 and 1-96) which deal with “failing to register as a lobbyist in Connecticut,” “failing to submit all other appropriate lobbyist filings” and “failing to follow all applicable registration procedures."

The letter from the OSE argues that the diocese acted as a lobbying organization by participating in a rally at the State Capitol opposing Bill 1098 and using its website to encourage members to contact their elected representatives to oppose proposed legislation.

Bishop William E. Lori of Bridgeport reacted to the investigation earlier today, saying, "Following the surprise introduction of Bill 1098, a proposal that singled out Catholic parishes and would have forced them to reorganize contrary to Church law and the First Amendment, our Diocese responded in the most natural, spontaneous, and frankly, American, of ways: we alerted our membership – in person and through our website; we encouraged them to exercise their free speech by contacting their elected representatives; and, we organized a rally at the State Capitol.

“How can this possibly be called lobbying?" he asked.

Over the weekend, all parishes in the Bridgeport Diocese will hear a letter read to them from Bishop Lori addressing the investigation. In his letter, the bishop explains what he believes the consequences of the state requiring to register as a lobbying organization would be.

“Once again,” writes Lori, “we should be outraged. 'Lobbying'? Exhortations from the pulpit, information posted to the world wide web, a rally in the middle of the day on the State’s most public piece of property? This cannot possibly be what our Legislature had in mind when it enacted lobbying laws to bring more transparency and oversight to a legislative process that has been corrupted by special interests and backroom deals.

“Let’s be clear: we violated no law.” Bishop Lori states in his letter.

In response to the investigation, the diocese announced on Friday afternoon that it had filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court against Thomas Jones, OSE Ethics Enforcement Officer, and against Carol Carson, Executive Director of the OSE. The Bridgeport Diocese is seeking a court order to prevent further action against it by the Office of State Ethics.

"I believe that an order from the Court barring Mr. Jones and his colleagues at the OSE from applying the lobbying laws to the Diocese in this manner is necessary to enable the Diocese to continue to carry out its mission without fear of incurring civil penalties, exposure to possible criminal prosecution, burdensome administrative requirements, and intrusive oversight by the State," Bishop Lori said.

Comments: 11

Subscriber comments:

Published by: MTB
Meriden 06/04/2009 12:58 PM EST

I couldn't agree more with the statement below found in the Courant. I was raised Catholic, and believe that their struggle for power seems to outweight their desire to minister lately. Churches throughout the poorer sections of the state closed, schools closed, but the Bishop has money for this. How much of my money has disappeared, why aren't good financial controls in this economy okay with the church?

The Bridgeport diocese does have a paid lobbyist — the Connecticut Catholic Conference — which represents all three church dioceses' interests at the legislature. The Catholic Conference lobbies lawmakers on issues of importance to the church, including immigration policy, the proposed repeal of the death penalty and same-sex marriage.

"Religious organizations are like any other special interest group," said Kim Harrison, a lobbyist for the second-largest religious denomination in Connecticut, the United Church of Christ. "We have the right to come up and lobby and talk about public policy."

But, Harrison added, "We're just like any other group and we have to abide by the rules of the state of Connecticut."

Published by: Joseph
Indianapolis 06/02/2009 09:00 AM EST

Government is and has been out of control and have no regard for the constitution. The only way to stop this run away train is for more "tea parties". People, please take serious these red flags or lose your most precious gift...FREEDOM

Published by: Joe Johnson
Bpt., Ct. 06/01/2009 05:14 PM EST

It's interesting that a number of people think Bishop Lori is taking action. The action taken is to spend money on attorneys and the money is spent when Bishops are defending their turf. What about the Notre Dame issue, and in Connecticut, the Sacred Heart Univ. issue. Lori and 1/3 of the Bishops wrote an opinion on Notre dame and that is bettter then nothing. Taking action is being on campus and being arrested like some of the faithful. Does anyone know why Bishops wear red garments? The abortion issue may not be as important as the turf issue.

Published by: Doug
Portland, OR USA 06/01/2009 10:01 AM EST

And so it begins. The state will attempt to intimidate and silence the voice of orthodox Catholics. Big Brother will listen to every word that you say, and unless your words pay homage to the the state you will be silenced with the threat of investigation and legal action.

Published by: Barbara Sullivan
Chappaqua, NY 05/31/2009 05:58 PM EST

I don't know what this country is coming to when the State of Conn. has nothing better to investigate than the Catholic Church! Leave the Church alone they violated nothing. Investigate Mr. Chris Dodd instead.!!!!

Published by: stan kennedy
hartford, ct 05/31/2009 08:53 AM EST

Interesting that in today's (Sunday newspaper of Hartford Courant) 2 senators have acknowledged double-billing for expense reimbursement, or falsely signing document re campaign funds but I do not hear that any ethics issues have been raised by legislature. Hhhmmmm!

Published by: Andrew Nelson
Columbia, SC USA 05/30/2009 02:21 PM EST

We need more bishops like Bishop Lori, who will take action. Making statements is fine, but we need them to also take action. We all need to stand up for the Catholic faith and not be afraid to proclaim the truth. Too many of us keep quiet, which only helps this secularism expand within our country. Fighing for our faith is worth the sacrifice.

Published by: Bob
Detroit, MI 05/30/2009 02:18 PM EST

Tolerance defined by Democrats: We will tolerate you so long as you agree with us. Otherwise what you do is illegal.

Published by: Joe Johnson
Bridgeport, Ct 05/30/2009 12:10 PM EST

There is no doubt that the Church is under attack in Connecticut, but to what extent did Bishops Curtis, Egan and Lori as well as other American Bishops bring this on themselves? In Bpt. there has been decades of sexual abuse, financial corruption and coverup. The coverup continues to this day. Do they not understand the dammage caused? The Church has been VERY conservative in internal matters but very progressive in social issues. If our Catholic colleges and universities continue to be hotbeds for progressive social teaching and our graduates join state and federal legislatures, are we not now reaping what we sow? Many of our social positions will guarantee that the current political environment continues and that the attacks continue as well. Things have become far too complicated to lead the Church without leadership skills.

Published by: Nathan
Washington, DC 05/30/2009 11:00 AM EST

Thank you, Bishop Lori! Again, the anti-Catholics are targeting the Church. Keep up the good work!

Published by: Dr. W. Luckey
Front Royal, VA 05/29/2009 10:29 PM EST

It seems that the State of Connecticut no longer accepts the First Amendment's religion clauses. Is this a trend now? We need to be on our guard and call it what it is.

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