First it was gay and lesbian Mainers. Now, with their latest attack on the homeless, the Catholic Church has gone too far. by James Oaksun
(libertarian)
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Some years ago, historian Paul Kennedy wrote a book titled, The Rise and Fall of the Great Powers. In a sweeping view of world history, Kennedy showed how all great empires eventually go a couple steps (or more) too far. And this overextension which Kennedy labeled "imperial overstretch" ultimately led to the empire's demise.
One could argue the largest and longest lived empire of all time was not the Mongols, nor 19th century Britain, not even our own nation.
Rather, it is the Roman Catholic Church.
You need not review all the Church's recent actions to conclude it is an empire in decline, a power that has stepped a few paces beyond its control. We need not make mention of the child sex abuse scandals to see this.
We can simply look at events here in Maine over the last year to determine the Church's overstretch, and contemplate its eventual fate.
Separation of church and state has been a fundamental value in this country since the adoption of the 1787 Constitution. "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion," said the First Amendment. Over the years, one interpretation of the Establishment Clause has been that churches are exempt from taxation, are not subject to property taxes on their holdings, and are able to receive contributions on a tax favored basis (contributors receive tax preferences).
The condition for favorable tax treatment was that churches were not to inject themselves into the political process. That there was, as the Great Teacher said, a realm of Caesar and a realm of God. And that all knew where the line was drawn.
Witness, however, the recent actions of the Catholic Church.
Last April, a hearing was held in Augusta on the proposed marriage equality bill. The first speaker in opposition was none other than Richard Malone, Bishop of Portland.
Really?
Well that's all right, you might say. He's just expressing a philosophical opinion. Well, my friends, Malone and the Church did much more than express an opinion.
The institutional Church spent more than half a million dollars to repeal the legislation, which (it need be said) was passed by wide legislative majorities and signed into law by Governor Baldacci. Bishop Malone's public relations head, Mr. Mutty, was even given leave to run the Yes on 1 campaign. Special collections were taken at services across Maine to raise money for the new law's defeat.
As we all know, the marriage equality law was repealed in a "People's Veto", by a narrow margin.
But the Church was not finished.
Feeling the oats of victory, and desiring retribution against all who opposed her, the Church decided to go further. Her first stop: the homeless.
If there is any organization in Portland that does what might be referred to in other circles as "the Lord's work," it is Preble Street Resource Center. There are many in our community, in these hard times, who have fallen and need help. Many who are at risk. Preble Street seeks to lend a hand and help up to them.
However, Preble Street opposed the repeal of the marriage equality law. Gay and lesbian teens are among our most vulnerable groups and Preble Street believed, with some justification, that a measure to afford these at-risk teens some measure of legal sanction would be a net plus to the community.
The Catholic Church objected to this position. And sought revenge against the "miscreant" by not only withdrawing funding but by seeking a refund of moneys previously distributed.
This is a staggering and incredible position for an organization whose founder is quoted as saying, "Inasmuch as ye did it to one of the least of these my brethren, ye did it to me." (Matt. 25:40)
Enough is enough. It is time for Governor Baldacci and the Maine Legislature to revoke the Catholic Church's tax exemption.* The Church has decided to step from the realm of God to the realm of Caesar. Accordingly, it has no call to ask for preferential tax treatment for its activities, and should be treated like any other political player in the process.
Let it not be forgotten, Bishop Malone lives in Baronial splendor in a mansion up on Portland's Western Prom. Yet as a direct result of his decisions and actions, tonight there is probably a homeless child in Portland without a hot meal or a cot to lay her head.
Sleep well tonight, Bishop Malone. Sleep well.
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* Ideally I would prefer to see a tax system without any exemptions (well ideally I'd like to see no tax system at all someday truth be told); however, the Catholic Church was granted an exemption on the condition that it not engage directly in the "realm of Caesar" and not act in a manner antithetical to other community objectives. Neither condition prevails today.
James Oaksun is founder and chair of Liberty For Maine, and a candidate for LNC Treasurer.
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