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Yahoo
24-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Now able to endorse political candidates, Ohio churches express interest in staying neutral
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — Although the IRS announced this month it is reversing precedent by allowing tax-exempt houses of worship to endorse political candidates, some Ohio faith organizations say their churches will remain neutral. In a July 7 court filing, the IRS said it will relax enforcement of a 1954 provision in the U.S. tax code called the Johnson Amendment, which said that churches and other nonprofit organizations would lose their tax-exempt status if they participated in 'any political campaign on behalf of, or in opposition to, any candidate for public office.' However, the Catholic Conference of Ohio, representing the state's bishops like Columbus Bishop Earl K. Fernandes alongside Cincinnati Archbishop Robert G. Casey and Cleveland Bishop Edward C. Malesic, said in a statement to NBC4 that Catholic churches in Ohio remain committed to neutrality regarding political candidates. Without paper mill, toxic underground plume could rise and spread in Chillicothe 'While the Church or any clergy will not endorse a political party or candidates, we will continue to advocate for policies that align with Catholic teachings and advance the common good,' said Brian Hickey, the conference's executive director. 'Catholic clergy are also encouraged to speak out on issues and public policies that reflect the principles found in Catholic social and moral doctrine.' The Ohio Council of Churches, a partnership of 17 Christian denominations encompassing about 6,000 congregations across the state, said in a statement it has no record of any member denominations requesting relaxed enforcement of the Johnson Amendment. 'Realizing that congregants are diverse in their political party affiliation, and that God loves all people regardless of their choices of candidates, I believe OCC churches will continue to recognize the 'Imago DEI', Image of God in all people, and endorse policies and legislation that reflect Jesus Christ's values of love, peace, and justice, while refraining from endorsing candidates, regardless of party,' said Rev. Dr. Jack Sullivan, Jr., the council's executive director. The July 7 filing stems from a lawsuit filed against the IRS in September last year by a religious media group and two churches in Texas, arguing the Johnson Amendment infringes on their First Amendment rights to the freedom of speech and the free exercise of religion. While the IRS didn't call for eliminating the amendment, it said that when a church or house of worship 'speaks to its congregation, through its customary channels of communication on matters of faith in connection with religious services, concerning electoral politics viewed through the lens of religious faith,' it doesn't participate in a political campaign. What does the Ohio House property tax override mean? 'Communications from a house of worship to its congregation in connection with religious services through its usual channels of communication on matters of faith do not run afoul of the Johnson Amendment as properly interpreted,' the IRS said. President Donald Trump, who called for getting rid of the Johnson Amendment during his first term, celebrated the move by the IRS as 'terrific.' 'I love the fact that churches could endorse a political candidate,' Trump told reporters at the White House shortly after the July 7 filing. 'If somebody of faith wants to endorse, I think it's something that I'd like to hear.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Irish Times
19-05-2025
- Irish Times
‘Words fail us': Searches continue at Michael Gaine's farm following discovery of partial remains
Flowers and written tributes continue to be placed at the Co Kerry farm where partial remains of missing farmer Michael Gaine were discovered at the weekend. Parish priest Fr George Hayes spoke of how he had offered prayers on Sunday when a coffin was brought to the farm, just outside Kenmare. 'It seemed so incongruous to be praying for Michael in such circumstances on such a beautiful day. When words fail us, all we can do is offer our presence and our prayer to God – that the Lord will strengthen and uphold all who are so heavily burdened at this time,' Fr Hayes said. He added that the parish of Kenmare was keeping Mr Gaine and his family in their thoughts and prayers 'over these harrowing days'. READ MORE In Tralee, condolences were offered to the Gaine family at the May monthly meeting of Kerry County Council. Fine Gael local councillor Teddy O'Sullivan Casey said 'the level of support from the community has been amazing'. Mr O'Sullivan Casey offered his sympathy to Mr Gaine's wife Janice, his two sisters Noreen and Catherine, as well as his close friends in the farming and rallying communities. Brian Hickey and Donal McCarthy, close friends of Mr Gaine, had been helping with heavy machinery at the farm since early on Sunday. They helped carry out the coffin after prayers were said by Fr Hayes at around 6pm. Mr Hickey, who was involved in rallying with Mr Gaine, told Radio Kerry that he and Mr McCarthy had done some 'heavy lifting' at the farm over the weekend before adding that Mr Gaine would have done the same for them. At the farm, on the main Killarney road, search activity involving gardaí remained intense for a third day running on Monday. A screen was set up at around 4.30pm on the eastern end of the large slatted shed where a service truck was positioned. It had been used by workers who specialise in cleaning drains and septic tanks. Also on Monday, 20 Defence Forces personnel from its specialist engineer unit, along with gardaí, searched an area of rough ground within the farm boundary. In a poignant note left at the scene, friends told their 'gentle teddy bear' to rest in peace. 'The beauty of a memory is always there,' the message stated. Flowers and candles were also left at the scene and cars slowed to a crawl as a mark of respect. A man in his 50s was arrested on Sunday in Tralee on suspicion of murder. He continued to be questioned at Killarney Garda station on Monday evening. His arrest came 48 hours after partial human remains were found in slurry being spread on Mr Gaine's land at Carrig East near Kenmare. Gardaí believe Mr Gaine was killed on Thursday, March 20th.
