IRS asked to review diocese's tax status after bishop's letter

Published: 2004-05-28

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- A group that advocates for church-state separation has asked the Internal Revenue Service to investigate whether a Colorado bishop endangered his diocese's tax status with a pastoral letter that tied political actions, including voters casting a ballot, to whether Catholics may receive the Eucharist. Americans United for the Separation of Church and State formally asked the IRS May 27 to investigate whether the tax code was violated by a May 1 pastoral letter by Bishop Michael J. Sheridan of Colorado Springs. A statement issued by a Colorado Springs diocesan attorney and sent to Catholic News Service by Bishop Sheridan's office May 27 said Americans United "has distorted both the teaching and the role of (Bishop Sheridan)." The organization "does not seem to understand that a Catholic bishop is called upon to preach the Gospel and instruct the faithful regarding moral issues," said the statement from attorney L. Martin Nussbaum. Bishop Sheridan was traveling, his staff said.

Copyright (c) 2004 Catholic News Service /U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. The CNS news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed, including but not limited to such means as framing or any other digital copying or distribution method, in whole or in part without the prior written authority of Catholic News Service .