I’m in a good mood. No. I’m like in a singing good mood. I might even dance. The state of Connecticut’s efforts to go after the diocese of Bridgeport have fallen into the category of EPIC FAIL once again. The state Attorney General just called on the Office of State Ethics to stop attacking the Church.
The Attorney General stated today that Connecticut should drop their efforts to force the Diocese of Bridgeport to register as a lobbyist because “[t]here is no denying the profound and serious constitutional concerns in enforcing the lobbyist registration laws against the Church under these circumstances.”
Hmmm. What does that paragraph smell like? Oh I know. That paragraph smells like victory for the Church.
Yeah, that’s right. This is the second straight smackdown the Diocese of Bridgeport has given to the dimwits in the state government of Connecticut. Seriously, the diocese is starting to whip up on Connecticut like that’s its job.
I haven’t seen beatings this bad since:
A) Liza Minelli married.
B) That house landed on the Wicked Witch
C) Danny Bonaduce met that transvestite
D) Tonya Harding set her eyes on Ms. Thing Nancy Kerrigan.
E) Vanilla Ice went on Celebrity Boxing.
In case, you don’t understand why I’m celebrating here’s a little background: The Office of State Ethics in Connecticut was investigating the diocese for allegedly lobbying state lawmakers when, in fact, the diocese was simply trying to fend off an unprecedented power grab from the state.
You see, it all started when a couple of dopey legislators last year got it in their tiny brains that as revenge for the Church’s stance on gay marriage they were going to try to wrest the power of the Church away from bishops and forcibly hand it over to elected lay boards in each parish.
In response to the power grab, the Diocese of Bridgeport appropriately arranged for busloads of people show up at the state capitol to protest the bill. And the legislators scurried away like rats at daybreak giving the Church a win.
But the state came back, saying that because the Church attempted to influence legislation, the state’s Office of State Ethics (OSE) ordered the Church to register as a lobbyist organization. If the OSE had their way, the state would’ve had unprecedented power to direct the internal operations of the Church. Experts agreed it was a violation of freedom of speech and a blatant attempt to threaten religious organizations that if they spoke out the state would come after them too.
Well, unfortunately for them, the state picked on the wrong Church. The diocese of Bridgeport didn’t sit still for this. No. Bishop William Lori put the foil on, suited up, made a video, issued press releases, wrote on his own blog, and then hired himself some fancy shmancy lawyer types with degrees and everything and went after the state with a lawsuit.
That’s the equivalent of throwing down the gloves before the Star Spangled Banner. Those bureaucrats never knew what hit them.
And guess what? The state buckled. So that’s two in a row for the diocese. Zero for the state. I’m calling it a mismatch. Connecticut might as well be saying, “Thank you Sir, may I have another.” Seriously, Connecticut needs a safety word.
Make no mistake about it. Connecticut will be back. This isn’t the end. No. Connecticut’s the kind of crazy that stays crazy. Like Gary Busey crazy. Connectict can now officially be labeled a zombie. No matter how many times they’re killed they’ll just keep getting back up and coming back.
Kudos to the diocese. Thanks to the Attorney General. But especially thanks to Bishop Lori. Take a break. Hit the lockers. And wait for the next brawl. Because it’s coming.
Bishop Lori has some comments which are a lot nicer and grownup than mine at his blog. Go check them out here.
To read the Attorney General’s letter click here.
July 2, 2009 at 6:31 am
Tollllllldja : )
July 2, 2009 at 10:43 am
Justice.
July 2, 2009 at 12:45 pm
But what happened to the gay-sex-agenda legislators who started the whole mess in the first place?
Still, a great day for the Church in CT!
July 2, 2009 at 1:07 pm
This is great news. Hopefully the diocese will get a chance to catch its breath before the next round.
July 2, 2009 at 2:10 pm
This blog is hilarious!
rob
July 2, 2009 at 2:11 pm
It's funny how separation of church and state seems to be a one way street. Churches are supposed to stay out of government and politics, but government and politicians seem to think they should have a say in "church." Kudos to the Diocese for fighting for what is right.
July 2, 2009 at 2:47 pm
You don't happen to read the Ace of Spades HQ, do you? This is cleaner, but a worthy smackdown. Bravo!
July 2, 2009 at 4:07 pm
Should I be surprised that I learn about what the state of CT is doing to the Catholic Church from CMR rather than CT media? Probably not…
Thanks for covering this, guys.
BTW, CT also banned ultrasounds for non-medical purposes not under the supervision of a licensed physician. I'm working on a post on that now.
July 3, 2009 at 3:53 am
Great news.
But it should never have happened in the first place.
"Constant vigilance!"
July 3, 2009 at 7:28 am
Forgive me my ignorance, but I don't understand two references in this post:
1. Liza Minelli married.
2. CT needs a safety word.
July 3, 2009 at 6:52 pm
Here's the link to the post about ultrasounds:
http://exultetmeansrejoice.blogspot.com/2009/07/ct-enacts-keepsake-ultrasound-ban.html
July 5, 2009 at 4:08 pm
MissJean: that shows you live a clean life. These are terribly naughty references for a Catholic blogger (what does that say about myself, that I know about them?). The first has to do with the fact that Liza Minnelli's latest and oddest attempt at a husband, David Guest, left the post after finding that the lady has a penchant for physical violence that would leave Jake La Motta standing. The second has to do with the habit of certain kinds of perverts of agreeing upon a word that means that when the point of real intolerability is reached, no actually means no. Mind you, Connecticut pols and bureaus deserve it all.
July 12, 2009 at 3:41 am
Thanks! "Safety word" and Catholic in the same post–brilliant.
I almost hope CT tries again just for another inspired burst of humor like this.