While we are pleased by this action, we are not convinced that this
unconstitutional bill is dead.
Furthermore, we are deeply concerned about statements
made by elected officials suggesting that Connecticut's existing
religious corporation statutes, including those applicable to the
Roman Catholic Church, are unconstitutional and should be amended. These
statements are misinformed.
Connecticut's religious corporation statutes have been upheld by
Connecticut courts for over a century precisely because they do not entangle
the State in religious governance. Rather, they defer to the
rules and governance structure adopted by each religious denomination,
and thereby respect the religious freedoms of each denomination,
as required by the First Amendment and our state Constitution.
No court has ever found Connecticut’s religious corporation
statutes to be unconstitutional, and there is no reason for the
legislature to tamper with them.
(References to specific
court decisions upholding these statutes are available for download:
click
here.)
Therefore, Catholics from across Connecticut will
come to the State Capitol as planned tomorrow, March
11, for a
rally at 12 Noon.
We’re going to speak personally and passionately
in defense of religious freedom and the First Amendment rights
of the U.S. Constitution. The voices of thousands have been heard
already through the many calls and e-mails to legislators, and
they will hear many more in Hartford tomorrow.
Bill 1098 was based
on a falsehood perpetuated by a few disgruntled individuals that
the Roman Catholic Church has no financial controls in place. In
actuality, the Diocese has in place one of the most accountable
and transparent systems in the United States, including a whistle-blower
that minimizes the risk of fraud.
The Catholic Church, moreover,
has the largest network of educational and social services outside
of the government in Connecticut, services that are needed more
than ever in the current economic crisis.
The State should be celebrating
the Roman Catholic Church, not denigrating it. Let’s work together
for the common good.
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