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  Bridgeport Diocese Files Lawsuit against State

By Dave Altimari
Hartford Courant
May 29, 2009

http://www.courant.com/news/politics/hc-church-ethics-0530may30,0,7563317.story

[the lawsuit]

[motion for a preliminary injunction]

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Bridgeport filed a federal lawsuit Friday afternoon against the state for seeking to have the church register as a lobbyist because it organized rallies against a bill to have independent boards oversee the churches finances.

Church officials are asking the court to issue an injunction against the Office of State Ethics' (OSE) attempt to make the church register as a lobbyist.

"I believe the OSE's extension of the lobbying laws to these activities will interfere with the diocese's ability to mobilize its members and, if necessary, to urge them to rally at the Capitol," Bishop William Lori said.

Lori said the injunction is necessary to allow the diocese to carry out its mission without fear of "incurring civil penalties, exposure to possible criminal prosecution, burdensome administrative requirements, and intrusive oversight by the state."

In March more than 4,000 Catholics descended on the Capitol to protest a proposed bill to have lay councils of seven to 13 people to oversee the finances of local parishes, relegating Catholic pastors and bishops to an advisory role.

The bill was pulled by legislators after severe criticism and because of questions about its constitutionality.

But the issue didn't end there for church officials who claim about a month later they received a letter from the Office of State Ethics informing them they were the "subject of an Office of State Ethics evaluation" to ascertain whether the diocese had violated state statutes by failing to register as a lobbyist before the rally.

The letter also cited statements the church put on its website urging parishioners to contact their legislators to complain about that proposed bill as well as the proposed bill for same sex marriages which the church also opposed.

 
 

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