In Connecticut, the Catholic Church is strongly criticizing a bill introduced in the state legislature last week to reform oversight of finances in Catholic parishes. Yesterday's
Stamford (CT) Advocate reports that Raised Bill No. 1098 (
full text) was
introduced in response to the conviction of a Darien (CT) priest who stole $1.4 million in donations over several years. Under the proposed bill, any Catholic parish organized as a religious corporation would be required to elect a lay board of between 7 and 13 members to manage and oversee its financial affairs. A nominee of the bishop or archbishop will serve as an
ex-officio member of each parish board. The bill provides, however, that it shall not be construed to limit the power of the bishop or pastor in matters pertaining exclusively to religious tenets and practices. Complaining that the bill is an atttempt to interfere in the internal affairs of the Church, a statement by the Diocese of Bridgeport says in part:
This bill violates the First Amendment of the United States Constitution. It forces a radical reorganization of the legal, financial, and administrative structure of our parishes. This is contrary to the Apostolic nature of the Catholic Church because it disconnects parishes from their Pastors and their Bishop.... This bill, moreover, is a thinly-veiled attempt to silence the Catholic Church on the important issues of the day, such as same-sex marriage.
UPDATE: The
Meriden (CT) Record and
The Hour reported Tuesday that the bill has been withdrawn from consideration for this legislative session while constitutional issues surrounding laws currently governing religious groups are reviewed. Tuesday's scheduled hearing on the bill was cancelled.
UPDATE 2: Here is the
full text of a letter sent by 12 prominent law professors challenging the constitutionality of the bill before it was withdrawn.
