Spring Break
Column: Connecticut's anti-Catholic woes
Bob Bajek / Student Government Editor
Issue date: 3/24/09 Section: Opinions
3/25/09 — Correction added.
What an interesting yet contradictory country America is. It is supposed to be a nation governed strictly by the U.S. Constitution with the Bill of Rights guaranteeing its citizens personal liberties.
It is a nation that has a multitude of people of different races, religions, ethnicities, political beliefs, physical abilities and sexual orientations who are equally respected no matter how different. The good ol' U.S. of A. claims she does all of these things. But when it comes to the beliefs and practices of Catholics, these ideals and beliefs sometimes take a back seat.
The state of Connecticut this month desired to have lay people control some Catholic parishes' finances through committees resembling school boards through Senate Bill 1098. The bill's public hearing was canceled and then tabled on March 10. The bill's main supporter is Dr. Paul Lakeland, a former Jesuit priest, who is a member of the Voice of the Faithful. The group's ultimate goal is weakening the pastoral authority of priests and bishops. The main argument for controlling the Catholic Church's money from parishioner donations is embezzlement of Connecticut church funds reaching in the millions. However, having the government obtain command of a religious institution's finances is wrong.
This control is a blatant violation of the First Amendment right concerning the separation of church and state with Connecticut controlling bishops through the purse.
"It just seems to fly in the face of the First Amendment," said the Rev. Msgr. John McCarthy of the Cathedral of St. Joseph. "It effectively is dictating how the diocese should run its affairs and eliminates the Archbishop of Hartford and the pastor of every parish from any meaningful say in the operation of the parish. There are some critics and bishops who worry that the bill is a veiled attack to censure the Catholic Church on important moral issues, such as same-sex marriage.
"If this bill were to be enacted, your bishop would have virtually no real relationship with the 87 parishes … they could go off independently, some of them could break off from the Church if they wished," said Bishop William Lori of Bridgeport.
The three Connecticut bishops are disturbed with the possible law, which they perceive as aimed precisely against the Catholic Church. Notice how there is no mention of fiscal oversight with other Christian churches, synagogues, mosques and temples with their religious spending. Human folly and weakness are not exclusive to Catholic clergy. To state that is a fallacy. Anyone is capable of embezzlement outside of a specific religious affiliation.
An anti-Catholic prejudice has existed since our country's founding. American Catholics were discriminated by Protestants in Colonial America with jobs and holding office. Groups such as the Know-Nothings and the more sinister Ku Klux Klan terrorized Catholics, among other racial and religious groups.
The public school system was created in response to the parochial school system. Al Smith's 1928 presidential bid was stopped because of his beliefs. Currently, Catholics are called backward with their stances on sexuality.
Religious freedom is not for everyone excluding Catholics. Catholics are part of this democratic deal.
Bob Bajek is a junior journalism major. He can be reached at DENopinions@gmail.com.
What an interesting yet contradictory country America is. It is supposed to be a nation governed strictly by the U.S. Constitution with the Bill of Rights guaranteeing its citizens personal liberties.
It is a nation that has a multitude of people of different races, religions, ethnicities, political beliefs, physical abilities and sexual orientations who are equally respected no matter how different. The good ol' U.S. of A. claims she does all of these things. But when it comes to the beliefs and practices of Catholics, these ideals and beliefs sometimes take a back seat.
The state of Connecticut this month desired to have lay people control some Catholic parishes' finances through committees resembling school boards through Senate Bill 1098. The bill's public hearing was canceled and then tabled on March 10. The bill's main supporter is Dr. Paul Lakeland, a former Jesuit priest, who is a member of the Voice of the Faithful. The group's ultimate goal is weakening the pastoral authority of priests and bishops. The main argument for controlling the Catholic Church's money from parishioner donations is embezzlement of Connecticut church funds reaching in the millions. However, having the government obtain command of a religious institution's finances is wrong.
This control is a blatant violation of the First Amendment right concerning the separation of church and state with Connecticut controlling bishops through the purse.
"It just seems to fly in the face of the First Amendment," said the Rev. Msgr. John McCarthy of the Cathedral of St. Joseph. "It effectively is dictating how the diocese should run its affairs and eliminates the Archbishop of Hartford and the pastor of every parish from any meaningful say in the operation of the parish. There are some critics and bishops who worry that the bill is a veiled attack to censure the Catholic Church on important moral issues, such as same-sex marriage.
"If this bill were to be enacted, your bishop would have virtually no real relationship with the 87 parishes … they could go off independently, some of them could break off from the Church if they wished," said Bishop William Lori of Bridgeport.
The three Connecticut bishops are disturbed with the possible law, which they perceive as aimed precisely against the Catholic Church. Notice how there is no mention of fiscal oversight with other Christian churches, synagogues, mosques and temples with their religious spending. Human folly and weakness are not exclusive to Catholic clergy. To state that is a fallacy. Anyone is capable of embezzlement outside of a specific religious affiliation.
An anti-Catholic prejudice has existed since our country's founding. American Catholics were discriminated by Protestants in Colonial America with jobs and holding office. Groups such as the Know-Nothings and the more sinister Ku Klux Klan terrorized Catholics, among other racial and religious groups.
The public school system was created in response to the parochial school system. Al Smith's 1928 presidential bid was stopped because of his beliefs. Currently, Catholics are called backward with their stances on sexuality.
Religious freedom is not for everyone excluding Catholics. Catholics are part of this democratic deal.
Bob Bajek is a junior journalism major. He can be reached at DENopinions@gmail.com.
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Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
spaldy
posted 3/24/09 @ 6:42 AM CST
I'm sure we can count on the state to also appoint boards to oversee our Muslim brothers. Just make sure you don't print anything negative or you might cause rioting and death threats. (Continued…)
POV
posted 3/24/09 @ 8:18 AM CST
For another point of view on this legislation, one could read this opinion piece:
http://ncronline.org/news/accountability/proposal-look-civil-law-reform-parishes
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