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September 13, 2012

Group Asks IRS to Investigate N.Y. Church for Endorsing Romney

Americans United for Separation of Church and State has asked the Internal Revenue Service to investigate a Manhattan, New York, church for endorsing Republican Mitt Romney for president.

In a September 2, bulletin, the Church of Saint Catherine of Siena published a column by the Rev. John Farren, a member of the church's pastoral staff. The column, titled "From Father Farren, O.P.," reprints an appeal by several former U.S. ambassadors to the Vatican, calling on Catholics to vote for Romney.

The appeal criticizes President Barack Obama and praises Romney, reports Americans United for Separation of Church and State.

"We urge our fellow Catholics, and indeed all people of good will, to join with us in this full-throated effort to elect Governor Mitt Romney as the next president of the United States," the column said.

In a complaint to the IRS on September 7, the Rev. Barry W. Lynn, executive director of Americans United, requested an investigation. Lynn noted that federal law forbids non-profit churches from intervening in elections. He also pointed out that IRS rules state specifically that tax-exempt entities may not reprint endorsements made by other groups and people.

“This is an audacious attempt by a tax-exempt church to intervene in the presidential election,” Lynn said. “This is a church, not a political action committee. It should play by the reasonable rules that other tax-exempt organizations follow.”

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