The National Organization for Marriage posted an article from the Seattle Post-Intelligencer which reports that that city’s Catholic bishops have asked priests to deploy their parishes to collect the signatures needed to ensure that Referendum 74, which would repeal the state’s marriage equality law, makes it onto the ballot in November.
According to the article, proponents of marriage discrimination have until June 6 to collect the 120,000+ valid voter signatures that would force a referendum on marriage equality. The Catholic Church intends to help with that political effort:
The two bishops of the Catholic Archdiocese of Seattle, in a letter to the faithful, say they will deploy parishes to collect signatures for Referendum 74 . . .
While asking that signatures not be collected on Easter Sunday, the bishops described the issue as “critically important” and said information on the signature drive is being sent to pastors throughout the Western Washington diocese.
The letter is signed by Archbishop J. Peter Sartain and Auxiliary Bishop Eusebio Elizondo. Sartain testified against marriage equality at a Washington State Senate hearing earlier this year.
In their letter, the bishops specifically deny that refusing marriage to same-sex couples equates to discrimination — an argument made by Gov. Christine Gregoire, a Catholic, in arguing for marriage equality.
“Treating different things differently is not unjust discrimination,” the bishops claim. “Marriage can only be between a man and a woman because of its unique ends, purpose and place in society. The word ‘marriage’ isn’t simply a label that can be attached to different types of relationships.
“Instead ‘marriage’ reflects a deep reality — the reality of the unique, fruitful, lifelong union that is only possible between a man and a woman. There is nothing else like it, and it can’t be defined or made into something that it isn’t.”
This is just the latest example of blatant political meddling on the part of America’s Catholic bishops, who continue violating our nation’s tax laws with impunity. How long will this be allowed to go on? When will the IRS finally enforce its own rules and tax political churches?
Can’t Lambda Legal do anything about this? The Obama admin won’t do anything because they don’t want any more ‘war on religion’ b******t during a major election year.
Although I too am disgusted with the actions of the hierarchy, they are not blatantly violating any tax laws. The tax laws specifically allow religious and non-profit organizations to campaign on issues but not on behalf of political parties or specific candidates. Marriage Equality is an issue not a political party or candidate. If that were not the case, then churches would have been paying taxes since the Abolitionist Movement or the Civil Rights Movement.
As for collecting signatures, this might actually be a blessing in disguise. Most people outside the Catholic Church don’t realize this, but many lay Catholics don’t listen to the Hierarchy regarding political and social matters. I’d actually argue that most priests and nuns don’t listen to them either. What will probably happen is that many Catholics will not sign these petitions and wouldn’t THAT be an complete and utter embarrassment to the Washington bishops? Look what happened in Maine. According to Carholics for Equality, the relentless preaching by the bishops there caused more Catholics to vote against repeal of the marriage law in 2009. The Maine diocese couldn’t even raise any funds locally. Most money had to come from other dioceses. Why do you think the Church in Maine has said that it will not actively campaign against Marriage Equality now? One Pyrrhic Victory was embarrassing enough.
Ah yes, the church that moved pedophiles around rather than turn them in is once again lecturing the rest of the world about the sanctity of relationships. They are so profoundly sick.
I want to add this: I feel that I have the right to say these things because I was raised Catholic. Also, my comments are not about the Catholic laity. I have met hundreds of Catholics, and most are very decent people who are interested in a relationship with the Lord (not politics). In fact, the Vatican is at war with American Catholics. The people are on our side. It is the leadership that I hold in contempt, and it is a contempt that they certainly deserve.
I know that some people hesitate to criticize religion, and I understand that, but when a church puts a bull’s-eye on a group of human beings, whether it be gays or anyone else, the only moral, righteous response is to fight back and condemn what deserves to be condemned.
John I really like your articles. They make me want to run out in the street and join a protest and if there isn’t one to join, to start one. Keep up the good work!
Chris= “I know that some people hesitate to criticize religion, and I understand that, but when a church puts a bull’s-eye on a group of human beings, whether it be gays or anyone else, the only moral, righteous response is to fight back and condemn what deserves to be condemned.”
I think that is one of the best summary paragraphs that I have read in a long long time.
Sooooo sick of churches getting on the political bandwagon. If its a Black person who gets shot and the news networks roll out some old pictures of a troubled teen taking on a nightime neighborhood patrol person the “southern” churches get on their soap boxes and protest, LET THE POLICE DO POLICE WORK!. If it is a religious issue like “legal” gay MARRIAGE the Catholic church gets on its soapbox and wants to give stipends of support from IT’S OWN PEOPLE’S BELIEFS, why? – because they have huge numbers. So my thought is this, is it legal for the majority to keep the minority in a discriminated state? The last paragraph of this article is the kicker, since when can a couple of gay men or lesbian ladies not life a “unique,fruitful lifelong union? After all being Gay is NOT only about the bedroom, but about a deep lifelong love affair with your spouse. I and my partner Hagan have been together for 10 loving years. Peace.
Churches speak of the ‘gay agenda’
When will Gays and Allies start voting?
When Gays do vote, they claim they can’t vote based on sical issues. Well, then don’t gripe when ur rights are stripped away.
This is sickening
[...] is none other than Seattle Archbishop Peter Sartain — the same prelate who recently made headlines when he asked all the parishes in his diocese to collect petition signatures in order to put [...]
[...] whose parishes have opted out of Archbishop Peter Sartain’s anti-same-sex marriage campaign, Nagel told churchgoers in a homily last Sunday that his parish would participate, agreeing to [...]