[updated]
Rep. Andrew Manuse (R-Derry), one of the 12 or 15 Free Staters serving in the state house, is “considering a bill to remove the [Catholic] Church’s tax exempt status in New Hampshire”, according to a quote released by the Catholic League.
The threat resulted from a squabble between the Catholic church and House Republicans after Bishop John McCormack, of Manchester, claimed that Republican budget cuts would hurt the most vulnerable residents of New Hampshire. This prompted House Republican leader D.J. Bettencourt to call McCormack a “pedophile pimp,” a reference to his handling of sex abuse cases in the Boston archdiocese. The situation has only spiraled down from there. (Link)
N.H. REPUBLICANS ARE IN TROUBLE
Catholic League president Bill Donohue comments on the reaction he has gotten from some New Hampshire Republicans in the wake of the Catholic League protest of Rep. David Bettencourt’s attack on Bishop McCormack:
Never in the nearly 18 years I have spent as president of the Catholic League have I seen more totally irresponsible statements issued by the lawmakers in any one state. While some Republicans—and all of those attacking the Catholic League are Republicans—are merely upset with our criticism of Rep. Bettencourt, two have clearly crossed the line.
Rep. Lynne Ober wrote the following to us in an e-mail: “I agree that it is certainly unfortunate that the Catholic League chooses to harbor a person who helped pedophiles continue abusing children.”
Rep. Andrew Manuse wrote this missive: “I am now considering a bill to remove the Church’s tax exempt status in New Hampshire, for you have clearly shown that you no longer want it.”
I have a challenge for the two of them.
Why doesn’t Ober take the next step by personally accusing me of harboring a person who helped pedophiles continue to abuse children? Organizations can’t sue for libel, but individuals can.
Why doesn’t Manuse go right ahead with his bill to remove the Church’s tax-exempt status? We’d love to present his e-mail in court.
Didn’t anyone ever tell these lawmakers to be careful what they put in writing? In any event, it’s time these two heard from our members. …
Perhaps it’s time he heard from libertarians as well. Manuse’s contact information can be found here.
HT: Kathy Sullivan at Blue Hampshire.
Added, 4/7:
An article from the Union Leader updates the story:
In an interview, Manuse said more is being made of his idea than he meant. He tried to distinguish between considering such a bill and intending to file one.
“I never said I intended to file it. I wanted to start a discussion,” said Manuse, who was raised Catholic. He said church leaders should not preach from a tax-exempt pulpit and at public rallies, saying: “It seems like double dipping.”
…
Manuse said that if he had filed a bill on tax status, it would have dealt with all churches, not just the Catholic church.
“I’m not considering it anymore,” he said, complaining that he has received “very hateful” emails. He also disagreed with McCormack’s criticism of budget cuts.
“It is the church’s responsibility to care for vulnerable people, it’s not the government’s responsibility to do that . . . I don’t think it’s the church’s place to say what government should or shouldn’t do,” he said.
Former Democratic Party chair Kathy Sullivan called on O’Brien to take action. She said Manuse’s decision to target church leaders over their remarks threatens the core constitutional freedoms of religion, speech and assembly, as well as the right to petition the government over grievances.
Sullivan challenged O’Brien “to show true leadership by insisting . . . that they cease engaging in efforts to intimidate and threaten members of the public.”
