This Just In...
Kevin Fischer is an award-winning veteran broadcaster who has been seen and heard on Milwaukee TV and radio stations for nearly three decades.
Kevin, who is a legislative aide to state Sen. Mary Lazich (R-New Berlin), can be seen offering his views on the news on the public affairs program, “InterCHANGE,” on Milwaukee Public Television Channel 10, and heard filling in on Newstalk 1130 WISN. He lives with his wife, Jennifer, and their baby daughter, Kyla Audrey, in Franklin.
Something to think about today in church
By Kevin Fischer
Sunday, Sep 28 2008, 08:30 AM
It happens rarely at St. Anthony’s where I usher every Sunday, but when it does, I cringe. I head to the church vestibule and pace.
When a priest starts talking politics from the pulpit, my uneasiness is brought on for several reasons:
1) Personally, I live it all week and don’t feel the need for it or want it on Sunday morning.
2) OK, what side is Father going to take?
3) Generally, the message, no matter how well-intentioned, is anything but interesting and is delivered poorly.
In all my years of attending Sunday Mass, I have never heard a priest tell me who to vote for. Wouldn’t do any good. I wouldn’t listen anyway.
When the subject of politics is broached, a member of the cloth takes a chance that he’ll alienate some parishioners and their pocketbooks. As a veteran usher, I’ve seen two subjects that have led people in the pews to get up, walk out, and never return: Moolah and politics.
Even though I get queasy, I firmly believe priests and ministers should be allowed to talk politics if they choose, despite a federal law prohibiting religious organizations and other non-profits that except tax-deductible donations from involvement in political campaigns.
Today, across the country, 33 ministers will walk up to the pulpit and endorse a candidate for President in defiance of the federal law. Pulpit Freedom Sunday hopes to draw attention to the need to change the law and the Internal Revenue Service is fully aware of this protest. The IRS says it “will monitor the situation and take action as appropriate.”
I’m not sure what that means. Will the IRS have agents attending services, ready to pounce when Father Joe says, “Vote for John McCain,” and put the cuffs on?
This is a freedom of speech issue. Let them speak.
Goodness knows other entities that receive tax money, and lots of it, are involved in political campaigns.
