Reps. Rowe, Hwang Condemn Effort to Strip Catholic Churches of Financial Controls

State Rep. T.R. Rowe, R-123, meets with Connecticut Catholics prior to the start of the rally and informational hearing that took place at the State Capitol on Wednesday, March 11. More than 4,000 Connecticut Catholics, including those from all four Trumbull Catholic parishes – St. Theresa’s, St Catherine of Sienna, St. Stephen’s and Christ the King, rallied at the State Capitol in opposition to proposed legislation that would strip Roman Catholic Churches of control of their finances.

HARTFORD — On Wednesday, March 11, State Reps. T.R. Rowe, R-123, and Tony Hwang, R-134, participated in an informational hearing and rally on a legislative proposal that would strip Roman Catholic Churches of control of their finances. More than 4,000 Connecticut Catholics, including those from all four Trumbull Catholic parishes – St. Theresa’s, St Catherine of Sienna, St. Stephen’s and Christ the King, rallied at the State Capitol in opposition to Senate Bill 1098, An Act Modifying Corporate Laws Relating To Certain Religious Corporations.

SB 1098 was introduced by the Legislature’s Judiciary Committee co-chairmen, Rep. Michael Lawlor (D-99) and Sen. Andrew McDonald (D-27). After Catholics organizations announced they would testify in opposition to the bill during a public hearing scheduled for Wednesday and made arrangements for bus transportation, Rep. Lawlor and Sen. McDonald cancelled the public hearing, and claim the legislation will be shelved for the remainder of the 2009 Legislative Session. House and Senate Republican legislators then scheduled the informational hearing to allow people to share their thoughts on the proposal.

Lawmakers who moved the legislation forward in the wake of a scandal involving misuse of funds at a Darien parish said it would establish lay boards of directors to manage financial matters of local churches. Matters of fiscal oversight or complaints lodged with the board would be subject to investigation by the state Attorney General under the proposal.

Reps. Rowe and Hwang said they have been contacted by hundreds of constituents in opposition to the proposal.

“This bill is unconstitutional and offensive, not just to Catholics, but to all people of faith,” said Rep. Rowe. “This time it was the Catholic Church that was singled out, but next time it could be another denomination, which is why it is important that we make a strong stand now. I am pleased so many turned out to support religious liberty.”

“The bill’s selective choice of Catholic Church should concern other religious organizations,” said Rep. Hwang. “The government should NOT involve itself in the internal affairs of private organizations, particularly religious ones. I was also impressed and honored to have been contacted by such passionate constituents and to see so many at the Capitol was impressive.”

“I was inspired to see the Church come together and get a little fire in its gut over a real threat to the way we manage our parishes,” said the Rev. Richard Murphy, pastor of St. Theresa’s. “I’m pleased to see T.R. Rowe and Tony Hwang and others in support of us to see that we have friends at the Capitol.”

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