Karl Keating's E-Letter of June 1, 2004

[Forum Admin]

Karl's E-Letter of June 1, 2004

TOPICS:

Mrs. Kennedy, Canonist
Bishop Sheridan, Pastor
Mr. Lynn, Anti-Catholic
Tax Exemptions, Expendable

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http://www.catholic.com/newsletters/kke_040601.asp

[Raiderdad]

Regarding the expendable tax exemptions:
Dear Karl,

You have exposed the monster once again, in shedding light on the tax exemption fear. What a beautiful thing it would be for the Church to be denied there exemption and thus becoming the visible martyr that she already is in invisible form.

My wife and I sacrificed many years to put our kids through Catholic elementary and high schools. It made us a stronger and more committed Catholic family. I would like to go on record right now regarding my family's willingness to make up our share of the difference of any income lost as a result of denial of my Church's tax exemption. What a breath of fresh air would blow through the Church if pastors would speak out openly from the pulpit without the fear of intimidation of revenue loss.

I believe the Holy Spirit would shine forth and the generosity of Catholics would make the tax exemption look like the widow's mite. Faith conquers all and fear destroys faith.

God Bless you for your insightful thoughts.

Sincerely,
Preston E. Ritchie
Metairie, LA

[JackPaul]

I don't know, wouldn't the loss of a tax exempt status hurt the Church. They most likely would never show a profit so they would pay little in taxes anyway. But for the purpose of tax accounting, wouldn't it drive up costs? I have not been in the Church but a couple of years, but it is my understanding that 5% of the members give 90% of the money. No doubt, there is a lot of potential there in the pews. But it is my impression that the majority attendees have the idea that the Church is rich and they are going to send their money to Rome anyway. So, Joe six pack feels pretty good about throwing a five dollar bill in the basket. Our Church does a pledge drive for a couple of weeks during Lent and that is the last you hear about money for the rest of the year. Even then, you hear an awful lot of bickering from many about how the churhc is only interested in their money (as they gobble down the free donuts and coffee at the parish center). I am not sure the laity would pick up the slack.

[Karl Keating]

In this country, Catholics, as a whole, are richer than Protestants, but they put only half as much in the collection basket. This suggests there is plenty of room for improvement--and plenty of opportunity to make up for the loss of a tax exemption.

I'm not aware of any diocese that is able to salt away funds. It would only be on net profit that any tax would be levied, so dioceses probably would have small tax bills.

I don't think that's been the fear. I think the fear has been that individual contributions will dry up if people can't deduct them on their Schedule A's. But most Catholics give such a small amount per year that their tax savings is minuscule anyway, so I don't think the absence of deductibility would influence many people.

Let's say individual contributions dropped by 5% and the tax levied on the dioceses was 5%, for a 10% total reduction in net revenues.

Would the ire of Catholic laymen more than compensate for the loss of the exemption? I think so--I have at least that much confidence in the folks in the pews. In fact, I think the dioceses would end up with much more in the bank.

The best part, though, would be the freedom the Church would enjoy to speak its mind. It has that freedom now, in theory, but not in practice, since most chancery offices play safe--far too safe, I think.

[Dolores49]

From KK's e-letter: "I wouldn't mind seeing the Church being taken to court over something like this. Let's bring in all the dioceses as defendants. Let's have a big brouhaha. Either way, the Church wins."

Yikes! You said the "c" word: Court! I think we better stay clear of courts, attorneys, and law suits.

I'm a full time activist and I'm in the middle of the marriage crisis in Portland, OR. We have only 25 days to gather over 100,000 signatures for our week-old state petition to qualify for the November ballot. The petition would amend the state constitution to read: "Only Marriage Between One Man and One Woman is Valid or Legally Recognized As Marriage."

According to another activist circulating Oregon's Marriage Initiative Petition, he told me he's taking a big risk by having his table of petitions inside the entry of the church but ... guess the pastor has approved.

Conversely, a pastor I spoke with at yet another church isn't willing to take the risk and I'll be setting up outside.

Karl, can I post the link here for those who are on this Forum who are wanting to get a supply of the Oregon petitions? You can send me a private email.

Thanks.

[Karl Keating]

Dolores:

Your story demonstrates what I mean: Pastors are cowed into not standing up for the faith out of fear of government reprisals. And what kind of reprisals might there be? Mainly just the loss of the exemption.

As for the link to the petitions, feel free to put it here.

[Dolores49]

Karl has graciously given me permission to post this - well, I hope you don't think it's 'abusing' the privilege, Karl, I put more than just the link!

OREGON MARRIAGE INITIATIVE PETITION

MARRIAGE INITIATIVE READS:

"Amends the Oregon Constitution:

ONLY MARRIAGE BETWEEN ONE MAN AND ONE WOMAN IS VALID OR LEGALLY RECOGNIZED AS MARRIAGE."

Petition Circulators are needed at Catholic Churches throughout OREGON . . . Pass it on to colleagues, family, in Oregon:

www.DefenseofMarriageCoalition.org

OR PHONE 1-877-203-9595

The Coalition folks are very nice and will mail your order to you with instructions and a self-addressed stamped return envelope.

 Oregon’s Initiative Petition needs over 100,000 signatures to qualify for the November Ballot . . .
 We have only 5 weeks to collect the signatures . . .
 The Evangelical organization, Defense of Marriage Coalition, is the only place to obtain the official petition…
 Catholics can contact their pastor for permission to obtain signatures at or near your church …

Speak Spanish? Precincts in Oregon with Latino voters are also in need of circulators.

[pnewton]

At work I am a member of a non-profit organization that does charitable work. Since we also feel the need to get involved in some local politics, we were advised to set up a second, parallel organization to which members may contribute. It is totally non-exempt, so we can be politically active. My question:

Is there any Catholic organization that has chosen to bypass tax-exempt status in order to promote Catholic values with unrestricted audacity?

[Agnes]

Great newsletter! Let's be honest about this "fear" and get rid of it. Were the early Christians afraid of torture and martyrdom? And we are going to be afraid of the IRS or ACLU or anyone else? Do we not believe firmly that Truth and God are on our side? Do we not believe the Holy Spirit will protect the Church? Then why be intimidated by anything?

Along this line, as a separate issue, I am dismayed by "fear" of vandalism being used as an excuse to lock churches. It is almost impossible to make a visit to the Blessed Sacrament. Of about a dozen churches I've visited in Oregon and California, only one is unlocked all day.

Surely each parish has insurance? Now of course I realize the Tabernacle must be protected. But if I can buy an alarm system with automatic police notification for my home for a few hundred bucks, then surely the brilliant and creative minds of bishops and their numerous employees can devise a way to protect churches?

Priests should be finding ways to make Christ more accessible, not lock him away. Yes, maybe some neighborhoods have drug problems or reasons to lock the church, but I am talking about middle class, suburban areas. Jesus said, "Cannot you stay awake one hour with me?" If only we could get in the door!

[Gregory Eric]

That was another insightful letter by "The Keatinator". So many have commented on the money and taxes that I'd rather not. Mrs. Kennedy however, good grief! I know, charity first.
How twisted and distorted one can try to make a simple truth - it's wrong to kill any human being. If you support this then REPENT and return to living the gospel. Until you repent do not receive Holy Communion or you do so unworthily and damn yourself. The idea of denying Holy Communion to those publicly not in a state of grace is nothing new. The Great Schism creating the Orthodox Church began when Patriarch Ignatius (846-57) refused Bardas (then emperor) Holy Communion since it was public knowledge that he was living in incest with his daughter-in-law. Of course the story goes on but my point is that while it may be painful and cause upheaval with those who are less docile in spirit, those who truly desire to please Christ must walk the narrow path.

[lauraannj]

This is one great newsletter. I must say that it really shows what the motives are behind the pro-abortion politicians and the anti-catholics. If only people could step back and see how their actions are perceived by others then they might think twice before they show their true colors.

- LauraAnn

[abbachild11]

I'm a recent Catholic who works for a Baptist church. Our church (the Baptist one) has chosen not to be tax exempt and we are doing just fine. God supplies all our needs, just as He has promised to do. The pastor is also one of the more outspoken men in our community. NO FEAR!

FEAR - False Evidence Appearing Real

Reminds me of Chick-fil-A. The owner chooses to keep his stores closed on Sunday so employees can go to church. It is a day of worship, not business. As you can see, God has blessed the man moral decision by making the restaurant one of the most successful ones in the U.S.

Do what is right, and God will honor it!

[jminiw]

Hi This is my first attemp to work in anything like a forum or ? ? But the letter of June 1 was so inspiring that I got me this far. I have read the responses to that letter and I am just thrilled to see so many in favor of your ( Karl ) views. I have read the letters for some time, always enjoy. I also enjoy the apologetics on radio. Just a big thanks for now. and a Janice

[Mike S.]

Karl, great work you all do- keep up the good fight!!!
One thought regarding the Church's tax-exempt status. I'm under the impression that the real reason the Church is so concerned with tax-exemption is not for negligible reasons but in that it receives literally hundreds of millions each year in governmental funds that allow for example- Catholic Social Services to function. In this sense the gov't. "knows" that without the Church being funded to carry the ball in so great a manner with many aspects of community services- they'd have (the gov't.) a whale of a time trying to compensate. The dicoesan Catholic Charities campaigns are important each year but only account for 5-6% of the operating costs of the social services provided. The gospel can't be compromised or watered down, but nor can we underestimate the great good that comes out of tax-exemption. I don't think it's an either - or anyway, nor do you I'm sure.
Peace & Prayers

[Chris C.]

My Friends--

Karl is absolutely 100 percent correct in his analysis of tax-exempt status. I have been arguing this very point in private conversation for years. I am not a libertarian, and I believe that the State is a good, but ours is profoundly corrupt and we need to look for ways to separate it from the Church (not the other way around!). Catholic schools, for example should immediately drop the practice of hiring only State-credentialed teachers. This practice has staffed our schools with disciples of the "thought" of John Dewey (or the latest educationist fad), who are ignorant at best and truly sinister at worst. The Church should quit filing marriage certificates with the State, too. State control of marriage is a Reformation innovation. Go Karl!

Christopher Check
Exec VP
The Rockford Institute
www.chroniclesmagazine.org