Catholic Answers vs. the IRS

From CNA:

The apologetics organization Catholic Answers has filed suit against the Internal Revenue Service claiming the federal tax collection agency has “intimidated” churches and non-profit groups into silence on politically controversial moral issues.

In an announcement posted at the organization’s web site, Catholic Answers president Karl Keating explained that the IRS fined the group for a 2004 e-letter it wrote saying that Democratic presidential candidate Sen. John Kerry should not be allowed to receive Holy Communion.

Keating charged that Francis Kissling, then-leader of the pro-abortion front group “Catholics for a Free Choice,” had instigated the IRS action with a complaint.

He said Kissling “hated” Catholic Answers’ “Voter’s Guide for Serious Catholics,” which aimed to educate Catholics on issues such as abortion. However, the guide did not mention any candidates or political parties and was cleared of any violations by the IRS.

Keating also stated, "The intimidation has become so bad that nowadays, most churches and non-profits in America are scared to death even to talk about moral issues that are deemed ‘political' (such as abortion). ... If you’re wondering why you don’t hear more about abortion in your parish, especially during election time, this is why. It’s IRS intimidation." I think that is one good reason; another is that some priests and deacons simply don't want to appear "controversial" or "fanatical" or "judgmental." 

Back in September 2004, Ignatius Insight interviewed Jimmy Akin, Catholic Answers Director of Apologetics and Evangelization, about the controversy, the attacks by Catholics for a Free Choice, and the Voter's Guide.

IgnatiusInsight.com: Why do you think Catholics for a Free Choice is trying to get the IRS to go after Catholic Answers?

Jimmy Akin: Frances Kissling's complaint is completely frivolous. It therefore appears that the reason she is doing this is intimidation. It's an attempt to get us to back down. But she doesn't know who she's messing with. Catholic Answers will not be intimidated.

IgnatiusInsight.com: What is Catholic Answers' goal in writing and distributing its Voter's Guide?

Akin: The purpose is to educate Catholics on Church teaching regarding their moral obligations when involved in the political process, an educational goal that has been neglected for far too long, leaving Catholics vulnerable to manipulation regarding what their faith requires.

IgnatiusInsight.com: How do you respond to the charge that Catholic Answers' Voter Guide is partisan?

Akin: The Voter's Guide endorses no party or candidate. In fact, it explicitly makes the point that one must not just vote based on party affiliation but must consider the Church's teachings regarding vital moral issues. By definition, it can't be partisan if it's telling people not to vote based on party.

Read the entire interview.

Related Ignatius Insight pages:

• Author page for Karl Keating
• Two Notions of Worship: Catholic vs. Fundamentalist | Karl Keating | From The Usual Suspects: Answering Anti-Catholic Fundamentalists

Comments

[LJ]

I hope Karl is aware that taking on the IRS will put him and CA in the sights of DHS, according to Napolitano's Lexicon.