Im a catholic, but I strongly disagree with this rhetoric. If this bishop wants to join in the political arena than the catholic diocese of rhode island should have to pay taxes like the rest of us citizens. That goes for these local priest politicos too.

The bishop has an obligation to speak out against injustice, immorality, and point out to Catholic leaders when they are in error. As he says, the Lord did not conduct public opinion poles before he preached. Oh and just for the record, priests do pay taxes out of their personal income.

If the Bishop wants to get into politiks?
Well...
then he ain't really a priest anymore is he
and therefore he should be taxed by the IRS.

If this were President Monson making similar remarks the article were bring up the agument about separation of church and state. Statistics show Utah about 60% LDS, the same percent of Catholics in Rhode Island. Yet nowhere in this article does it even mention this. Is the concern over separation of church and state a Utah only phenomenon?

The doctrine of the separation of church and state as used in the media means that is a political and legal doctrine that government and religious institutions are to be kept separate and independent from each other.

The actual doctrine, the U.S. Contitution, only states that: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof." There is no prohibition of religious persons influencing the political process. Our country was based on the Judeo-Christian ethic and philosophy. Good people of all religious persuasions should try to influence laws that conform with a good moral code.