Retaliation against Catholic Church for Prop 8 Support?

SAN FRANCISCO (Secular Heretic) - San Francisco assessor Phil Ting has called for the Catholic Archdiocese of San Francisco to hand over $15 million in taxes because of an internal restructuring of the archdiocese, a move that some are describing as "retaliation" for the Church's opposition to Proposition 8.

Ting concluded that the Catholic Church owed the city taxes after the archdiocese was restructured and its property, which is almost all used by parish facilities, was consolidated seven months ago.

The Catholic archdiocese immediately filed legal action and questioned the precedent for Ting's decision. "Phil Ting has taken a step that is unprecedented in the history of the state of California. He has determined that an internal reorganization of church property, within the family of corporations of the Archdiocese of San Francisco, constitutes a 'sale' and is subject to a property transfer tax," archdiocese spokesman Maurice Healy told the San Francisco Chronicle. "A tax on transfers of property, all owned by the Catholic Church, within the same family of Archdiocesan corporations, is unprecedented in the history of the state of California and the law is overwhelmingly in our favor on this subject," said Healy.

Many are decrying the move as retaliation for the Catholic Church's support for a YES vote on Proposition 8 which defined marriage as between one man and one women. Some San Francisco residents and politicians are angry at the Catholic Church and other religious groups for supporting Proposition 8. The call to tax the Catholic and Mormon churches, which helped propel Proposition 8 fund raising and campaigning, became a mantra of same-sex "marriage" supporters ever since the amendment passed in November.

Jack Smith of the Catholic Key blog suggested that Ting, who supports “gay marriage”, declared at a “No on 8 rally”, that he was proud to have signed several same-sex marriage certificates.It is also reported that in June 2008, Ting officiated at at least one same-sex wedding. From Sing Tao Daily:

“Phil Ting spoke after the ceremony and said that he is very glad to marry gay and lesbian couples and very happy to see the day that the California government will allow their gay and lesbian couples the freedom to marry.”

It seems that Phil Ting likes to promote “gay marriage” and is angry that the Catholic Church supported a YES vote on Prop 8 which defined marriage as between one man and one women. He is now attempting to punish the church financially through the use of his political position.

Marriage is big business for the Catholic Church. A very large percentage (I believe I saw it was somewhere around 30% in a poll) return to the Catholic Church to get married after not participating for years. Their next connection is through their children's sacraments and then they drop off again. The Catholic church needs marriage "between a man and a women" to preserve the church's longevity.

I believe it is very wrong for the Church to participate in political activism. The key foundation of the United States is seperation of church and state and I believe the Church should focus on we Catholics and let our country's politics do what they do. I haven't put a dime in the collection plate since Catholic leadership has felt it is OK to support political issues and I will not again until the leadership stops. I (we?) give to the church to help build a better relationship with God for Catholics and to support the many fantastic charities that the church operates. Not for the church to bully around in politics on issues like gay marriage. Gay marriage has nothing and will never have anything to do with me as a Catholic and my relationship with God. I am very sad and disgusted thinking that someone did not receive scarce charity resources because the church opted to give that money to support anti-gay marriage politics. It really sickens me.

We're certainly at a historical crossroads regarding politics and religion and I pray that Catholic leadership will be wise enough to focus on what we need most - SPIRITUAL guidance for us to forge a stronger relationship with God.

Al Huxley | 1/10/2010

For Stanley: You said, "How many gay couples go from partner to partner while normal couples stay married and happy? hmmm somthing outdated must be working"

I'm gay. I don't go partner to partner. I'm married and very committed. It's in my nature and has nothing to do with religion.

It's time for people like you to progress beyond needing a mythical parent figure to keep you in check. It's time for people to be good because it's the right thing to do, and not because they may get some benefit in the afterlife. Be responsible because it's the right thing to do. Help people because it's the right thing to do. Be kind because that's how you want people to treat you. Simple, uncomplicated, and doesn't need a mythical parent figure to do.

atty79 | 2/22/2009

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