P
Pax_et_Bonum
Guest
Minnesota legislator threatens priest with IRS for defending marriage, then backs down
BY KATHLEEN GILBERT
Tue May 10, 2011 18:52 ESTComments (4)Tags: Catholic, John Kriesel, Marriage, Minnesota
Rep. John Krisel
ST. PAUL, May 10, 2011 (LifeSiteNews.com) – The lone Republican among Minnesota legislators who is opposed to a voter referendum on same-sex “marriage” appeared to threaten a priest with legal repercussions for defending true marriage; his office later backed down under fire from critics, calling the original conflict a misunderstanding.
Thomas Peters of CatholicVote.org reported Tuesday that Rev. John Echert of Holy Trinity/Saint Augustine Parish met with a harsh reply when attempting to contact freshman State Rep. John Kriesel over the Minnesota marriage amendment (HF 1613; SF 1308). The constitutional amendment would allow Minnesotans to vote on the definition of marriage on the 2012 ballot.
In an email to Kriesel reprinted in the parish bulletin, Echert said he was “very saddened” that Kriesel did not support the amendment and asking him to reconsider. “While we can legitimately debate issues related to finances and politics, those that are grounded upon basic moral principles and family values are rooted in the laws of God,” he wrote.
A staffer for Kriesel responded to “Mr. Echert” by stating, “I would like to respectfully remind you that the Internal Revenue Service frowns upon churches and religious organizations devoting time to influencing legislation. Your admission of the commencement of a politically involved ‘campaign’ will probably violate several state and federal tax provisions.”
lifesitenews.com/news/minnesota-legislator-threatens-priest-with-irs-for-defending-marriage-then
BY KATHLEEN GILBERT
Tue May 10, 2011 18:52 ESTComments (4)Tags: Catholic, John Kriesel, Marriage, Minnesota
Rep. John Krisel
ST. PAUL, May 10, 2011 (LifeSiteNews.com) – The lone Republican among Minnesota legislators who is opposed to a voter referendum on same-sex “marriage” appeared to threaten a priest with legal repercussions for defending true marriage; his office later backed down under fire from critics, calling the original conflict a misunderstanding.
Thomas Peters of CatholicVote.org reported Tuesday that Rev. John Echert of Holy Trinity/Saint Augustine Parish met with a harsh reply when attempting to contact freshman State Rep. John Kriesel over the Minnesota marriage amendment (HF 1613; SF 1308). The constitutional amendment would allow Minnesotans to vote on the definition of marriage on the 2012 ballot.
In an email to Kriesel reprinted in the parish bulletin, Echert said he was “very saddened” that Kriesel did not support the amendment and asking him to reconsider. “While we can legitimately debate issues related to finances and politics, those that are grounded upon basic moral principles and family values are rooted in the laws of God,” he wrote.
A staffer for Kriesel responded to “Mr. Echert” by stating, “I would like to respectfully remind you that the Internal Revenue Service frowns upon churches and religious organizations devoting time to influencing legislation. Your admission of the commencement of a politically involved ‘campaign’ will probably violate several state and federal tax provisions.”
lifesitenews.com/news/minnesota-legislator-threatens-priest-with-irs-for-defending-marriage-then