Complaint Filed With IRS Over Homily By Catholic Bishop

Americans United announced yesterday that it has filed a formal complaint (full text) with the Internal Revenue Service alleging that the Roman Catholic Diocese of Peoria, Illinois has violated rules barring tax exempt organizations from supporting or opposing candidates in political elections.  The complaint focuses on an April 14 homily (full text) by Bishop Daniel R. Jenky (later reprinted in The Catholic Post) in which Jenky compares President Obama's attitude toward churches with those of Hitler and Stalin. The complaint says that moments after making the comparison, Jenky urges Catholics not to vote for candidates who fail to uphold Catholic values. The complaint goes on: "It is impossible to interpret this as anything but a command to vote against Obama." The Diocese has issued an additional statement explaining Bishop Jenky's remarks.