In the last week before election day, November 6, there were several violations of constitutional law and IRS regulations committed by Protestant churches. For example, on October 31, New Jersey candidate for governor, James E. McGreevey, won the endorsement of the Black Ministers Council of New Jersey. The group represents 600 churches. On November 4, New York mayoral candidate Mark Green campaigned in “a string of black churches.” Similarly, over the weekend preceding the election, there was a gubernatorial fundraiser at a black church in Trenton, New Jersey, for McGreevey; DNC chairman, Terry McAuliffe, was present.
Not one newspaper complained about what happened in black churches the week before the election in New York and New Jersey. Not one television or radio commentator complained. Not one word was heard from the ACLU, People for the American Way or Americans United for Separation of Church and State. But the latter group did complain about Catholic bishops in New Jersey who urged voters to consider human life issues when they vote.
In a comment made to the press, William Donohue sounded the alarms:
“Everyone knows what would happen if a group of Catholic priests, representing 600 churches, were to endorse a candidate for governor. Everyone knows what would happen if a candidate for mayor were to campaign at a Catholic Mass. Everyone knows what would happen if a fundraiser for a candidate for public office were to take place in a Catholic church. All hell would break lose.
“What’s driving this is a curious admixture of racism and anti-Catholicism. Quite simply, there are no standards for blacks and a double standard for Catholics. The best thing that could happen would be if a black Catholic church were to hold a fundraiser for a political hopeful and then see what happens. That would really throw a monkey wrench into the process.”
This kind of duplicity colors virtually every election, not only in the New York metropolitan area but throughout the country. It is a national disgrace. But the Catholic League will not back down and will continue to bring this issue before the public. At some point, honesty and fairness must prevail.
