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According to Associated Press writer Michael Kunzelman, as reported on Boston.com ,the Priest at St. Patrick's Church in Roxbury, Rev. Waldron, held up a copy of the petition to ban same-sex marriage, during the mass, and urged his parishioners to sign it in a room at the rear of the church. . |
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According to the Boston Herald Archbishop Sean P. O'Malley is urging Eastern Massachusetts parishes to help collect signatures required to put the issue to a statewide vote. "The parishes of the Archdiocese can assist in this effort by way of collecting signatures after Masses or at other parish events,'' O'Malley wrote |
Now, I mean absolutely no disrespect, but I honestly don't know what the limits are on direct involvement in current political disputes, during services, within the building of the church. Are there tax exemption issues at stake here?
According to an article in Crisis Magazine Dr. Robert Destro (former interim dean of the Columbus School of Law at the Catholic University) is a recognized expert on church and state issues. He says, "it depends where the political involvement takes place. If political activity centers on the church, the church hall, the school auditorium—anything officially associated with the church—yes, there’s a reasonable fear that the IRS might get involved."
I am not trying to bash the church; this is a sincere question: can someone clarify the tax code -- are there any limitations on actively campaigning from the pulpit on an issue before the electorate? Does this cross the line? Comments are welcome.
10:37:40 PM 
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