One of many articles describing the church’s funding of anti-equality measures. This isn’t exactly a news flash.
Even the fact that people are going for a constitutional amendment is proof of that. Gay marriage opponents know that their opinion won’t be even close to popular enough to legislate a generation from now. The whole point of a constitutional amendment is to use their last gasp of “being in the majority” to trip up the future legalization they know is coming by putting a ban where it is hard to repeal.
If gay marriage opponents were confident that theirs would be the majority opinion for the foreseeable future, they would be satisfied with regular legislation on the subject.
“Yeah, but more states have banned it than allowed it so…”
I’ve already heard people saying that. Of course, some of those measures date back to the mid-90’s but the writing on the wall for the future is hand-waved away by citing measures from 20 years ago.
I am not claiming that it is surprising news, but I don’t live in Minnesota and have not followed that ballot issue. I also note that the only source that is named for funds is the Knights of Columbus–an independent Catholic organization with its own funds.
I am not claiming that the original post was libellous or even mistaken; I am just curious as to the source of the funds and whether the Archdiocese, itself, is supplying them.
Seriously, do you have a religious objection to clicking links or something? They tell you exactly where to go to find that information. The link in the very first paragraph of the article. You’re going to have to scroll down some, I’m sorry I couldn’t do that for you as well. And we’re not giving the k of c a pass simply because they’re laity. They pancake breakfasted their hearts out because they’ll do anything for their precious bishops.
So far this year, Catholic leadership has been one of the biggest financial backers of pro-amendment forces, directing close to $500,000 in support of it, according to campaign finance records. The Minnesota Catholic Conference said it reported raising $750,000 in 2011. Much of that came in a $650,000 contribution from the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, which tapped its investments to help fund the marriage amendment campaign. (SOURCE)
So, you’ve got nothing?
I was specifically curious as to whether the diocese had shelled out money from its general fund–nothing more. The link to which you have pointed continues to point to the Knights of Columbus as the primary donors with drips and drops of money coming from other locations from what appear to be collections taken up for that purpose rather than disbursements from the general fund. (The diocese of Portland, ME shows what might have been a general fund disbursement, but the article is rather sloppy in describing the actual sources, so I will put that in the “general fund with an asterisk” column.)
I am not interested in defending the actions of the Archdiocese of St. Paul. I was simply curious to know whether they had actually used general funds in this effort.
Thank you.
To which the likely result will be an increase in the number of people calling themselves non-religious.
It’s all the same money. Whether it came from special collections, general funds or the knights of columbus it’s all the same tithings.
The archdiocese was a pain in the ass. But just so we understand that this was not a universal catholic opinion (though an official one) Some Minn. priests differ with Catholic church over marriage amendment | MPR News
You are wrong on several points, but I will not hijack the thread to continue this discussion. I asked for a point of information and stpauler has provided it.
Yes, I could have made a brisk business, had I charged, in relaying Another Catholic Voting No signs to my parents’ hometown.
Sure, whatever you say. What exactly differs between the general fund and special collections that leads you to the conclusion that the former was funding their hate bills and the latter was not?
Duh!
The general fund is the money that is collected every week from all parishoners and used for the maintenance of the diocese. Special collections are special, and are collected from people who wish their money to go to that particular issue.
Money received from donors to a collection or from the Knights of Columbus, (a resolutely Right Wing organization within the RCC), is money provided by individuals who have chosen to support the campaign in the way that the archbishop has described it.
Money taken from the general fund, (or by the sale of investments), is money that all members of the diocese have contributed for the purpose of supporting the church and its administrative needs.
I do not approve of Nienstedt’s actions or rhetoric. I was curious, (not supportive), as to whether he has spent general funds for this issue. Your claim that I was saying that the general funds were not used is ludicrous. I merely wanted to know what the source of stpauler’s claim was–and you spectacularly failed to provide it.
So, much hay about nothing. I thought as much.
Look at my exchange with stpauler:
Statement posted. Question asked. Question answered. Thanks given.
All the “hay” was actually the straw that you were collecting to build a non-existent argument.
Investments are likely to have come from general funds. The original dollars were certainly not collected to pass this amendment. So, likely both…specific contributions plus sale of investments.
If you didn’t see it, Father Bob Pierson of Edina, MN gave a great speech breaking down why Catholics can vote no and follow the church’s teachings. At 3:33 he gets into the meat of it with freedom of conscience.
No, it’s not all the same money. General collections are separate from special collections. It’s right there in the name. Knights of Columbus get their funding separate from the church’s collection plates.