Written by Don Byrd
Americans United filed a complaint with the IRS yesterday following controversial statements made by Peoria Bishop Daniel Jenky critical of President Obama included a call on parishioners to vote “to uphold Catholic values,” warning that the future of Catholic institutions may be at stake.
In the complaint to the IRS, Lynn wrote, “Bishop Jenky compared Obama to Hitler and Stalin and accused him of pursuing policies that will close Catholic institutions. Moments later, he exhorted members of his flock not to vote for candidates who fail to uphold Catholic values. It is impossible to interpret this as anything but a command to vote against Obama.”
An IRS document on political activity warns non-profit groups not to engage in any issue advocacy that “functions as political campaign intervention.”
Which offense of Jenky’s is more egregious, the nudge-nudge, wink-wink endorsement? Or the inflammatory message that the President seeks to wipe out all Catholic institutions and his re-election will all but ensure it? They both reflect questionable judgment – one undermining the public trust involved in the tax-exempt privilege; the other divisively and inaccurately using religion as a political wedge and fear tactic to drive voters in his parish.
Political campaigns should be about honest and fair discussion of issues and relevant qualifications for office. Most of us no longer expect candidates and their professional advisers to run a campaign of dignity that respects the voters they aim to represent. Is it too much to ask, though, that clergy and religious leaders try to set the standard?
Here’s a clue: if your sermon invokes Hitler and Stalin to characterize a candidate’s views, your discussion of the political world may have gone over the line of ecumenical dignity.
