Living dangerously
I’ve been known to take chances, even live a little dangerously at times. I think I’ll do it again. Watch:
“Peace on earth; good will to all.”
There! Now I’ll wait for the IRS to challenge the non-profit, tax-exempt status of The Catholic New World.
Farfetched? Just for repeating the famous words which define our season of Christmas, the song sung by the angels announcing the Incarnation to the lowly shepherds in those Bethlehem fields?
Not at all. Consider a little recent history.
The IRS is investigating All Saint’s Episcopal Church in Pasadena, Calif., because its rector emeritus, the Rev. George Regas, gave a sermon before the 2004 election that could have been perceived as critical of President Bush and supportive of Sen. John Kerry.
What Regas did was to raise questions that Jesus might ask about war and peace, poverty, tax cuts and the like. That’s one of a homilist’s roles, to take today’s society and hold it up to the lens of faith.
Certainly it appears, at least from Regas’ perspective, that the war in Iraq and other vital issues didn’t measure up. But he maintained that his sermon was not an endorsement of either party. Still, the IRS launched an official inquiry.
Perhaps in an effort to be fair, the IRS also investigated the Rev. Jerry Falwell, a staunch Bush supporter, for appearing to endorse the president during a July 4, 2004, speech at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, Ky. (IRS officials later determined that Fawell was not speaking for the religious institution when he praised the president.)
In any event, the IRS actions against church and other non-profit entities have liberals and conservatives, Democrats and Republicans, concerned. As well they should be.
It seems to all come down to what constitutes “endorsement.” And it’s clear that faithful people can look at Scripture and current events and come to strikingly different conclusions. And yes, that is a reality which can be—and often is—abused. Probably equally in conservative evangelical churches and liberal congregations.
The Archdiocese of Chicago tells its parishes, agencies and institutions they may not participate in political campaigns for or against any candidate. That includes, among other things, financial support, advertising, etc. Parishes can, however, educate about issues. Which, come to think of it, is what Regas and Falwell said they were doing.
The problem is that if faith is to be more than a display on a dusty museum shelf it has to speak to the issues of the day; it has to look to Scripture and tradition and teaching to judge what is happening in world around us.
Pope John Paul II criticized the U.S. run-up to the Iraq war. U.S. bishops continue to press for peace, against measures that will plunge people further into poverty, for an end to abortion and capital punishment.
These are political issues—or at least issues which one party or another, one candidate or another—have made a part of their platforms. These cannot be addressed adequately without appearing to take sides: a statement for peace can be perceived as Democratic; one against abortion as Republican.
But neither should the IRS be telling how churches can preach.
So it’s maybe a little early for this, but what the heck: Merry Christmas! If that doesn’t offend anyone at the IRS, that is.
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Speaking of Merry Christmas, here’s a treat to consider: Naper Settlement in west suburban Naperville is a great place to have yourself an old-fashioned holiday. The 19th century recreated village on 13 acres will mark the holiday with lamplight, Victorian carolers and more Dec. 9-11 and 16-18. For information call (630) 420-6010 or visit www.napersettlement.museum.
Tom Sheridan
Editor and General Manager
