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NAO

(3,425 posts)
Thu May 24, 2012, 10:06 PM May 2012

Petition: Investigate Catholic Church & Cardinal Dolan for Tax-Exempt Violations

On the many threads about the Catholic opposition and lawsuits, frequently people have suggested the IRS revoke the tax exempt status of the RCC.

There is now an online petition to have the IRS investigate possible violations.

Investigate Catholic Church & Cardinal Dolan for Tax-Exempt Violations
http://www.change.org/petitions/irs-commissioner-douglas-h-shulman-investigate-catholic-church-cardinal-dolan-for-tax-exempt-violations


excerpt from the petition:

This is to request that you investigate Cardinal Timothy Dolan, the Catholic Church, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and the Knights of Columbus for apparent violations of 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organizations, which by law may not attempt to influence legislation as a substantial part of their activities and may not participate in any campaign activity for or against political candidates.

We have read the Special Rules Limiting IRS Authority to Audit a Church and believe that the Catholic Church and its associated theocratic entities violate statutes in a way constistent with IRS protocol for initiating an investigation.

The Catholic Church and Cardinal Dolan have declared war against the candidacy of President Barack Obama...

The Catholic Church in America is, in essence, an arm of the Republican Party.

Dolan’s open war against the candidacy of President Obama is seconded by his corporation’s head, the Pope in the Vatican, which is a foreign country. On January 7, 2012, five former U.S. Ambassadors to the Holy See endorsed Romney for President, in a single letter. That endorsement very obviously was discussed with and approved by the Pope and Dolan. The letter evidences theological contempt for the rights of LGBT-Americans and for the rights of women generally. The political thrust of that letter (i.e., anti-Obama, pro-Romney) is now being carried out all across the United States by various corporate leaders of the Catholic Church, its associated theocratic entities and its proxies.

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Petition: Investigate Catholic Church & Cardinal Dolan for Tax-Exempt Violations (Original Post) NAO May 2012 OP
This website needs work jpbollma May 2012 #1
IDK it's got much chance of changing anything, but it might open a few eyes. freshwest May 2012 #2
They have already sold their souls Angry Dragon May 2012 #5
That we know... the eyes opening might be theirs; and those not caught in the web. freshwest May 2012 #7
catholic church... ELI BOY 1950 May 2012 #3
While I admire the spirit, this is going nowhere... Swede Atlanta May 2012 #4
Rec for your last paragraph Angry Dragon May 2012 #6
I'm Catholic and I'm outraged at the rightist bishops meow2u3 May 2012 #8

jpbollma

(552 posts)
1. This website needs work
Thu May 24, 2012, 10:14 PM
May 2012

I have tried posting it to my Facebook at least 10 times. It never goes through. Maybe this is a problem with my computer but everything else seems fine.

freshwest

(53,661 posts)
2. IDK it's got much chance of changing anything, but it might open a few eyes.
Thu May 24, 2012, 10:17 PM
May 2012

They need to get back to their mission and stay as far away from the GOP as possible. Or else they'll sell their souls.

ELI BOY 1950

(173 posts)
3. catholic church...
Thu May 24, 2012, 10:18 PM
May 2012

of course...BIG DONATIONS FROM THE Republicans go to the church...
stop the nonsense ...leave the alter boys alone...im tired of paying for all your lawsuits ....yes bishop dolan...stop sweeping this under the carpet...or better yet moving some priest from Queen to Baltimore...
wake up ...we are on too you...

Hippocrates

 

Swede Atlanta

(3,596 posts)
4. While I admire the spirit, this is going nowhere...
Thu May 24, 2012, 10:34 PM
May 2012

The Church has a constitutional right to express views related to matters of conscience. In this case it touches on matters of public policy. It is a very difficult question on how to treat this when the lines intersect.

Secondly, 5 former ambassadors to the Holy See endorsing Romney does not in any way suggest collusion between a foreign power and those individuals. Those individuals have a right to endorse whomever they like. They may be influenced by foreigners but unless there is credible evidence of interference from the Holy See, there is nothing to be done.

Don't get me wrong. I have a lot of issues with the way this is playing out. I personally think that no religious organization should be tax-exempt. They are running a business and should be subject to the same rules as any other business. A business selling shoes takes in money in exchange for penny loafers. A church (or other religious organization) takes in money in exchange for a hope you won't roast in eternal flames. What is the difference?

Further I find the Catholic hierarchy morally corrupt. Pope Bennie and the Jets (his Cardinals) are guilty of covering up predatory sex crimes against minors for decades. They should all be in shackles and behind bars. I have zero respect for anyone in the Catholic hierarchy but I have the utmost respect for Catholics that practice their faith in a manner consistent with the teachings of Jesus Christ about love, compassion and forgiveness.

meow2u3

(24,746 posts)
8. I'm Catholic and I'm outraged at the rightist bishops
Fri May 25, 2012, 12:23 AM
May 2012

not only meddling in partisan politics to try to install a repuke puppet, but also insinuating that Democrats are all going to hell unless they vote "pro-life." Who died and left these prelates in charge?

They also need to be reminded that arrogant, self-righteous princes who look down on the least of us are far closer to hell than any hooker or gay.

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