Des Moines, Iowa, Jun 22, 2018 / 09:49 am
After reviewing $844,000 worth of grants that were given by Polk County, Iowa to local Catholic schools a few years back, the Diocese of Des Moines said that it believes the grants complied with state law.
"The Roman Catholic Diocese of Des Moines has concluded that there is nothing improper associated with the technology grant," the diocese said in a June 21 statement.
It added that after reviewing the relevant facts and law involving the Polk County grant, "We agree completely with Polk County that the Community Development Grant was entirely legal and proper."
Iowa state law says that government officials "shall not appropriate, give, or loan public funds to, or in favor of, an institution, school, association or object which is under ecclesiastical or sectarian management or control."