New York City, N.Y., Apr 6, 2011 / 18:10 pm
Catholic League President Bill Donohue says Republican lawmakers in New Hampshire “crossed the line” with comments threatening to revoke the tax-exempt status of the Catholic Church in their state and by associating the league with cases of child abuse.
“I've never seen such an incredible reaction from state lawmakers in my entire life,” said Donohue, describing the response he received from state representatives after speaking out against remarks by Republican state representative David Bettencourt. The leading Republican called Bishop John B. McCormack of Manchester a “pedophile pimp” after the bishop criticized proposed budget cuts.
Bettencourt eventually apologized for the remark and is scheduled to meet with the bishop on April 7. But several of Bettencourt's fellow party members lashed out at Donohue for asking state legislators to censure him. Donohue highlighted two messages in particular, one accusing the league of defending an enabler of sexual abuse, and another threatening the Church's tax-exempt status in New Hampshire.
“I am now considering a bill to remove the Church's tax exempt status in New Hampshire, for you have clearly shown that you no longer want it,” Rep. Andrew Manuse wrote in an e-mail to the league, after Donohue called for Bettencourt to be censured.