Catholic Church Gives Millions to Fight Gay Marriage. Why Won't They Give Money for Health Care?

categories: Gay Marriage, Gay Rights and Religion, LGBT Health Care, LGBT Rights and Politics, Marriage Equality, Proposition 8, Religion and LGBT Rights

Published August 24, 2009 @ 05:49AM PT

Catholic Church

The Catholic Church gave more than $500,000 to help enact a same-sex marriage ban in Michigan. The Catholic Church gave $200,000 directly (and up to $1 million more through networks like the Knights of Columbus) to efforts to take away marriage equality in California, by supporting Proposition 8 like gangbusters. This year, the Catholic Church is expected to give up to $2 million (they've already donated more than $100,000 to date) to take away marriage equality in Maine, spending yet more money to take away civil rights for gays and lesbians.

If the Catholic Church can spend all that money on an issue like same-sex marriage, why can't they spend any money or give any institutional pull to help pass national health care, one of the Church's priorities?

Politics certainly seems to be the short answer, given that the institutional bishops have become really close to a political party in this country whose members by and large oppose national health care. Instead of wading into the debate about health care and how health care impacts poverty, education, immigration, and many other supposed priorities of the Church, Catholic bishops and many Catholic organizations have instead spent the past decade focusing on a series of 'non-negotiable' issues that have become increasingly less controversial for the American public: same-sex marriage, euthanasia, and stem cell research. There's also abortion, too, and while that remains a touchy subject in some parts of the U.S., most of the country still believes that women should have the ability to determine their reproductive health.

Makes one wonder if the Catholic Church in this country, while still a source of money for very conservative causes, is watching its political influence dry up. Last week Obama gathered numerous faith groups together to talk about universal health care. There were Jewish organizations, Methodist organizations, Baptist organizations, Muslim organizations, and evangelical organizations in the fold. But no Catholic Bishops.

Instead, the Catholic Church was sending video messages to Lutherans in Minnesota, urging them not to accept gay clergy.

On paper, the church supports universal health care. On paper, the church supports a public option. On paper, the church says that ending poverty is a fundamental issue of our time.

But in practice, the Church is spending millions of dollars to take away the civil rights of gay and lesbian people in places like Maine, instead of supporting national health care for all. Our country is having the largest conversation about health care in nearly twenty years, but the Church is more concerned about whether Lutherans will accept gay clergy.

Misplaced priorities? Well, if the sky is blue....

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Comments (33)

Is this really a surprise? The Catholic money laundering corporation raises hundreds of millions of dollars from hateful homophobes. They would lose this income, and support, if they supported national health care.

I used to know kind and loving believers, but now I think the entire corporation should be put out of business! We need to expose these rotten hate-mongers, and their harmful practices for what they are, money laundering!

Posted by Flex Colby on 08/24/2009 @ 07:32AM PT
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Good question.

Kudos to New England, Iowa, and the Episcopal Church for supporting marrige equality.

Joe Mustich, Justice of the Peace, Washington, Connecticut

To the marriage foes, and sexually phobic, please find something else to do with your time because life's too short. Find love.

And remember, marriage is firstly a civil matter, as marriage licenses are issued by and recorded in town halls not church halls, or mosques, or temples in America.

Posted by Joe Mustich on 08/24/2009 @ 09:47AM PT
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I remember the phrase "heal the sick" coming up a lot more in Jesus's teachings than the phrase "make sure gay and lesbian couple can't have legally recognized families and relationships"...

... but maybe my King James translation is a little off?

Posted by Amanda Kloer on 08/24/2009 @ 09:48AM PT
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The Catholic Church is an intolerant organization which has an incorrect view of LGBT rights and against health care reform. The Catholic Church can now be left alone for what it is, an organization of intolerance. At this point, a splinter church may rightfully come out of the Catholic Church. Although intolerant conservatives may raise millions of dollars for oppression, equality for the LGBT community trumps and will trump intolerance.

Posted by Edwin Bonilla on 08/24/2009 @ 01:21PM PT
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Why not tax them? If you're going to defy the notion of separation of church and state, if you're going to donate tax-exempt money to support discriminatory legislation, if you're going to become a leader of a political agenda, then you should have to pay taxes. Religion is a choice, therefore religion should never dictate law. Tax them!

Posted by James Hipps on 08/24/2009 @ 01:21PM PT
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Hear, hear! James. That's a proposition that I support 100%. There is absolutely no reason institutions that espouse political causes to deny the civil rights of any group should have tax-exempt status. I say tax the living hell out of them.

Posted by Gary Allmon on 08/24/2009 @ 01:36PM PT
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James, don't forget the millions in grant money they receive every year to "help the poor."

Posted by Dave Hershey on 08/24/2009 @ 01:42PM PT
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I like this guy. I agree tax the over bearing child molesters. I would vote to tax all religion unless they stay out of politics and quit using their ill gotten wealth trying to dictate how others live. You have religious freedom in our country not the right to impose your bull shit on others. That do not subscribe to their stupid causes..

CFHJ

Posted by Cherokee Fred Jesus on 08/24/2009 @ 05:12PM PT
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I'm not surprised at all. This should be obvious to anyone who follows organized religion... Religion = mind control and brainwashing. Sorry but that's my opinion. From a spiritual standpoint which is where I am at, I feel EVERYONE is the same as the other. No one is better, worse, more, or less than anyone else. The Catholic church doesn't see it this way, they want to control the world and they're doing a pretty good job. Wake up people!

Posted by Graham Smith on 08/24/2009 @ 01:22PM PT
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DITTO

Posted by Cherokee Fred Jesus on 08/24/2009 @ 05:07PM PT
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If it has not become clear enough for people, I don't know what it will take for people to understand that religious organizations are nothing more than big business. We (as a nation) ALWAYS talk about the big government handouts that go to the big bad "evil" businesses such as Big Oil, Pharma, Insurance, etc., but it is NEVER talked about on the national scale about these other truly evil business that lobby to take the rights of others away.

At least with the other businesses (oil, pharma, insurance) they DO pay taxes, they may get tax breaks etc., but they pay taxes nonetheless. Reliigous organizations do NOT. These religious groups RECEIVE money from our federal government to fund "other" deeds such as feeding the poor, sheltering the homeless, etc., through Bush's religious initatiatives that have been expanded under the current administration. These religious groups are able to spend their "grant" money (OUR TAX DOLLARS) on their charities, but then they are able to use the money raised in the collection plate to take the lead in funding all of these initiatives that take away the rights of fellow citizens instead of putting their OWN money toward these various charitable organizations.

It is shameful and needs to stop! The federal government needs to reverse its course in perpetuating these THUGS' lobbying efforts. Any gay people who give (through donations and "tithes") to these organizations that seek to strip them of their rights are no better than the organization itself. You are helping to fund these efforts of the church that work against you.

I know this was blunt, but it had to be said. If the church were required to use their own funding for EVERYTHING it involves itself in, instead of receiving all of these government handouts, perhaps they would get their priorities "straight."

Posted by Dave Hershey on 08/24/2009 @ 01:39PM PT
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I just got done doing a little bit of research to back up the information I stated above. Just to name a VERY few examples of them using OUR tax dollars to do their "good" works, so that way they can use THEIR money to attack us! To me, this sure sounds a lot like MONEY LAUNDERING via the government!

According to this CCF DEMONSTRATION (IO) PROGRAM
FUNDING 2002–present pdf report

2002 New Mexico Catholic Charities received $1,000,000

2005 Catholic Charities of Kansas City-Joseph, Inc. received $828,548

According to this ACR report: Demonstration Projects That Improve Child Well-Being by Fostering Healthy Marriages Within Underserved Communities, the Catholic Charities, Diocese of Trenton, NJ received $150,000 (2005).

According to this reportCatholic Charities of Jackson, MS received $400,000 in federal grant money.

$150,000 went to the Trenton, NJ Catholic Charities

Again, these are just a very SMALL sample of the federal TAX dollars that are funneled into Catholic organizations. Instead of directing those MILLIONS of $$$$$ that they used to fund discriminatory PUBLIC policy, they could be directing ALL of that money to the "good" works they like to tout and throw in everyone's faces. Could you imagine what additional GOOD that could be done with those additional millions that they are using to strip the LGBT community of its rights?

Posted by Dave Hershey on 08/24/2009 @ 06:21PM PT
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how ridiculous...

Posted by Theresa Beekman on 08/24/2009 @ 01:51PM PT
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Technically, they are foreign lobbyists, so all applicable rules should apply. They most certainly deserve taxation. Giving money to health care would be too humane. Like the phoney charity work of Mother Theresa, money and effort only occurs when there is a greater agenda, such as denial of birth control, empowerment of local clergy representatives, etc. The Church that supported Hitler, anti-choice terrorists, and legions of repression-manufactured pedophiles cannot be expected to do unconditional humanitarian work. The church remains a dangerous bloody holdout from the Dark Ages. Rev. Bookburn - Radio Volta

Posted by Rev Bookburn on 08/24/2009 @ 03:09PM PT
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On the issue of healthcare reform, I read somewhere that the catholic church seemed only concerned about how much money their catholic hospitals were going to receive. In my state of Pennsylvania, the Pennsylvania council of churches supports a single payer system. I don't see the catholic church on that list. Figures.

Posted by Melissa Latessa on 08/24/2009 @ 03:12PM PT
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Why why why?? Why do these religions zealots feel they have the right to dictate how others live?? This is a free country founded on religious freedom. They have their freedom they can follow any religion they wish. I to have that right I believe in LIVE AND LET LIVE!! They should not pay to insure what they believe is imposed on others!! Its like the Christians that fight abortion advocating violence. They want to impose their beliefs on everyone. This is not what our country was meant to be. Why can't these idiots enjoy their freedom and allow others to enjoy theirs? From what I have seen of organized religion I would never follow them. They preach one thing and do something else. They use fear and ignorance to raise money and use the money to help deprive others of their freedom...

CFHJ

Posted by Cherokee Fred Jesus on 08/24/2009 @ 05:03PM PT
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I send articles like this to my mother, so she knows the money she donates monthly goes to taking away my rights.

Posted by Sean Stidham on 08/24/2009 @ 05:11PM PT
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It's not just your mothers money Sean, it is OUR money too. Catholic organization (among others) receive MILLIONS annually in government tax dollars which ultimately frees up the money that your mother donates so that they can spend more on taking away our rights.

If they can afford to donate to causes that harm fellow citizens, then they should be required to pay those monies back to the government, AND have their tax-exemption stripped.

Posted by Dave Hershey on 08/24/2009 @ 06:25PM PT
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So...How does she respond ?

Posted by Thomas McHugh on 08/24/2009 @ 10:36PM PT
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I don't know how this ran under the radar!!!!!!!!!!!

Catholic Charities received $100,000,000 federal contract for disaster relief.

As they are getting ready to spend MILLIONS against us? WE ARE GIVING THEM MORE MONEY? Where the F*CK does this make any sense? Someone please tell me why we allow this money laundering to take place? How do we STOP this BULLSH*T?!?!?!?!?!?!?

Posted by Dave Hershey on 08/24/2009 @ 06:32PM PT
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God is Love
A Letter to My Gay & Lesbian Children:

I am so sorry that those who present themselves as followers of me and my teachings seemingly do not understand me or my teachings at all.

I am sorry that I left my Gay creations in the hands of a group that would do such vile and disgusting things to you, and in MY name, no less.

I am sorry that I left ANYTHING in the hands of the Heterosexual to ‘protect.’ ESPECIALLY the children. For I do not see anyone on Earth protecting anything other than their wallets.

I am sorry that people who call themselves my followers do anything BUT follow my teachings. Instead, choosing to abuse me AND my Gay creations. For what you do to the least of my people, you also do unto me.

Mostly, I am sorry that my placement of Gay & Lesbian children upon this earth, which was meant to teach human beings how to love each other, has turned into such pain and abuse for those Gay & Lesbian children.

But do not fear. For I am watching. And I am listening. And I know what is in each and every person’s heart as surely as I know how many hairs are on your heads.

And I am sorry. And I apologize for the abuse that you have suffered at the hands of Heterosexuals. That was never my intention. For I am a God of Love. And any human being who feels anything but love for their fellow man is surely not a human being who lives their life for me at all. And they will answer directly to me for that.

I am sorry for the abuse. The degradation. The murders. The rapes. I am sorry for all of it and apologize to my Gay & Lesbian children for the abuse you have endured and continue to endure at the hands of the Heterosexuals who created you.

I apologize FOR them. And I forgive them, as my Gay & Lesbian children must forgive them, as well.

So again, to my Gay & Lesbian children: I am sorry. And I love you. They may take away your rights. They may abuse and torture and murder you. But they will NEVER take away my love for you. For I created you in my own image. And I love you. Please believe that.

Love,
God

Posted by God F on 08/24/2009 @ 07:45PM PT
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You seem alot like Dr. Rev Mel White. Thank you for your post. It brings me hope that there is still some good, some altrusim, left in faith. So thank you and take care.

Posted by Chris Marshall on 08/25/2009 @ 11:58PM PT
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I too say that any religious group involved in politics needs to be treated as a bussiness and taxed.

Posted by Thomas McHugh on 08/24/2009 @ 10:41PM PT
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Oh I believe there are good people of faith out there, Chris. I have met many over the years--and people I would not have expected.

Why is Catholicism given all this money for things like "disaster relief"? Has there been any accounting as to how those funds have been spent? I doubt it. I take exception to government money going to a group so determined to shove its bigoted agenda down our throats.

All these anti-gay bigots need to have their tax exemptions stripped from them. They very much meddle in politics and need to pay the economic price for that meddling.

I'm not too surprised that they are opposing healthcare reform--they seem to oppose anything that doesn't directly end up in their coffers or as an increase in membership.

I agree with you, Cherokee Fred. All these people want to do is to control people and force them to live according to their beliefs. I won't follow it, either.

Posted by Ioan Lightoller on 08/26/2009 @ 02:49AM PT
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it appears that they waste a lot of money trying to ban and oppose gay rights, yet i have a handful of friends that have been molested while in the catholic church,yet nothing has been resolved reguarding this issue.

Posted by david slonecker on 08/31/2009 @ 11:48AM PT
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AHHHHH .... Can someone correct me ... As I recall the Catholic church took strong action against the priests that were involved in "supporting" "Liberation Theology" in Latin America.

http://www.landreform.org/boff2.htm

.... A movement present in Latin America to the point that priests, and nuns were being identified as targets by the reining government. Rome then turned on this movement and said it was heretical...

This was all political expediency and it argued that the church must not and does not, interfere in Governmental issues. Just as they did for the Holocaust. A sin by omission is a sin never the less.

Their reaction to LGBT marriage is a return to fundamentalist control within the church. Make no mistake...it is not a return to fundamentalist theology, but fundamentalist cannon. It is all tied to revocation of the "Second Vatican Council" and Pope Paul VI.

Posted by Gerald Grundstein on 09/07/2009 @ 03:38PM PT
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Talk about one of the most misinformed articles I've ever read!

Maybe you are unaware that Catholic Charities is one of the biggest agencies for food, health care, disaster relief and help for the poor in the world? That here in CT, the Catholic Church spends more on social services than the State of CT? That the USCCB is a huge advocate for health care reform but is only pulling back because of the mandate for killing the most innocent and helpless of human beings, the unborn in the womb?

Posted by Mike in CT on 09/11/2009 @ 08:11AM PT
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Whoop de fooking doo mr. ct...

All the good in the world wont erase the fact that the roman catholic church has its head up its ass when it comes to the subject of equality and that theyre hypocrites wanting to legislate their "morality" onto others when they wont even stop their own pedophile priests from molesting the choir boys...

Against such evil as that...All their "good" acts mean nothing.

Posted by Thomas McHugh on 10/11/2009 @ 04:08AM PT
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agreed.

Posted by Chris Marshall on 10/11/2009 @ 09:05PM PT
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This article is a false condemnation of the Catholic church. It is a blatant lie to say that they don't provide money for healthcare - when they definitely do.

There are Catholic hospitals all across the country. They do Charity care. In New York, we have St Vincents Hospital - for one. In 1981 I was taken there. I had Osteomylitis, and my toe fell off. I had no money - my social Security disability had been cut off two years earlier, and I was still fighting to get it back. I had no insurance or means to pay. They took me in and gave me excellent treatment.

Sure - they're wrong on the Gay Marriage issue, but that's no reason to deny that they give anything to healthcare for the indigent. In fact, when a friend of mine was dying from AIDS - it was Catholic nuns who housed him.

This article was not about any other isssue regarding the Church - it was just a lie.

The argument "Marriage is a Religious Sacrament" just shows how little they know. There is no "sacrament" of "Marriage". There IS a Sacrament of "Holy Matrimony", and if the church chooses not to perform this sacrament, it is their right. Congress shall pass NO LAW regarding the ESTABLISHMENT of Religion, nor the free exercise thereof. The church is "safe" -so to speak - from Gay Marriage anyway. "Marriage" is non-religious. It's performed by a JP, Mayor, ship's Captain.

As far as I'm concerned, it's a moot issue - you don't make laws AGAINST love, and people who live in glass cathedrals shouldn't throw stones. I just don't see Jesus saying anything even remotely critical of Homosexuality in the scriptures... but he sure as hell had a BIG PROBLEM with the church.

Posted by Bobby Steele on 10/14/2009 @ 11:25AM PT
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i think any church not just this one but any church that choose's to get into the political aren and throw there money away like this should loose there tax exempt statues i dont care what political issue they might jump in on if they throw there money into poltics they should loose there tax exempt statues this would change many people's tune's and i think it would keep most of them at bay what ever happened to separation of church and state

Posted by brad james jr on 10/14/2009 @ 02:09PM PT
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I am with you, Brad. It makes no difference to me what charities the RC Church supports. They still preach hatred of gay people and work to deny or even roll back any civil rights the GLBTQ people have gained. These people need to have their tax exemption taken away--not just the RC Church...all churches who involve themselves in politics.

What really blows my mind is that a church which is as riddled with child sex abuse as the RCC is has the unmitigated gall and arrogance to condemn GLBTQ people.

Posted by Ioan Lightoller on 10/14/2009 @ 08:00PM PT
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Having been raised in a Catholic grade school and later in a parochial high school, they do believe in mind control and are more intolerant than any others I know. The Catholic church is the only true religion. My Morman family (uncles, aunts and cousins) are more accepting of my gay marriage than my Catholic sister and her husband. In fact, my sister won't even have me in her house while the Mormans want me to come and stay anytime and accept my destiny. My brother is an ex Catholic as a result. It is wonderful how religion can alienate and polarize so many of us, isn't it?

Posted by Jeff Evans on 10/21/2009 @ 09:25PM PT
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Michael is the Communications Director for the Human Rights Program at Harvard Law School, and previously was Communications Director for Pax Christi USA, a progressive Catholic human rights organization.