Pasadena Church May Fight IRS Summons

[Jon8503]

All Saints' rector seeks legal and lay opinion on response to probe over an antiwar sermon.
By Scott Glover and Louis Sahagun, Times Staff Writers
September 18, 2006

A liberal Pasadena church facing an IRS investigation over alleged politicking sounded a defiant note Sunday, with its leaders and many congregants saying the probe amounted to an assault on their constitutional rights and that they were inclined to defy the agency's request for documents.

"These people are offended," said the Rev. Ed Bacon, rector of All Saints Episcopal Church, after delivering an impassioned sermon about the investigation to a standing-room-only crowd of about 900. "Freedom of speech and freedom of religion have been assaulted by this act of the IRS, and I think my people want to be heard in court."

Bacon said he would consult with attorneys and church officials before deciding a course of action but that the vast majority of parishioners with whom he spoke Sunday thought the church should resist a summons demanding copies of newsletters, e-mails and other records.

"I believe we should respectfully decline to produce the documents," said Cathy Shearon, an All Saints parishioner "off and on" for more than 20 years. "Being passive plays into the culture of oppression."

http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/la-me-allsaints18sep18,1,783247.story?coll=la-headlines-politics&ctrack=1&cset=true

[ComerPerro]

1. I'm glad a church with political activity is getting nailed by the IRS,

but too bad its only liberal churches (ones that actually preach the teachings of Christ) that are getting nailed.

[tuvor]

2. Civil disobedience is crucial in this case. K/R.