This is scary. State Legislators propose a Bill that would govern the Church structure pitting lay parishioners control of finances over priests and bishops.... by state law.
Catholicculture has the story and the resources:
Connecticut Legislators Bristle at Catholic Criticism of [Connecticut] Bill.
Resource Article:
Catholic Church, State In Power Struggle
A proposed bill that would take power from Catholic priests and bishops and turn it over to parishioners has sparked outrage among church leaders, criticism from opposition lawmakers and questions about its legality."You cannot tell a church how it can govern itself," said Marc D. Stern, general counsel for the American Jewish Congress in New York. "The church is entitled to govern itself any which way it wants."
The bill, which would create lay councils of seven to 13 people to oversee the finances of local parishes, relegating Catholic pastors and bishops to an advisory role, won't get its official public hearing before the legislature's judiciary committee until Wednesday. MORE
Seems that some parishioners of local parishes have a concern (in some cases rightfuly so) about the some mismanagement of church funds ($400,000 missing at St. Michael the Archangel Parish in Greenwich is one case. In California there's also the case in I believe Santa Rosa), however is alllowing the State Legislature to make law that govern the Catholic Church structure the right road to travel.
ABSOLUTELY NOT!
AmP has the 'rally call' [Action Item: Recsources for Catholics ralling in Hartford tomorrow]
Carl at InsightScoop : Connecticut Bill 1098 pulled... for now.
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