Americans United files IRS complaint against Catholic Bishop

Americans United previously was known as Americans United for Separation of Church and State. Prior to AUSCS, it was known as a project of the American Civil Liberties Union. They just filed a complaint with the IRS in regards to a column written by the Bishop of Paterson of the New Jersey Archdiocese of the Roman Catholic Church.

USA Today published the story.

In a letter sent to the IRS on Wednesday (Oct. 22), Americans United for Separation of Church and State accused Paterson Bishop Arthur Serratelli of illegal partisanship for lambasting Obama's support of abortion rights.

What did Serratelli write?

Serratelli wrote that Obama has pledged, if elected president, to sign the Freedom of Choice Act, abortion-rights legislation the Catholic Church vehemently opposes.

Seratelli is right. Obama did pledge to sign the Freedom of Choice Act. He told the Planned Parenthood Action Fund - which has subsequently endorsed him in the Democratic Primary and the General Presidential Election - that his first act as President would be "to sign the Freedom of Choice Act."

Bishop Seratelli violated no laws whatsoever. The Catholic Church is free to take positions in favor of, or opposing to, any specific legislation that conflicts with the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church.

Americans United is grasping for straws. Expect to see them use this non-issue complaint to raise money for their organization. The IRS will deny their complaint. Americans United will then claim all is not well in the United States and your money must contribute to their mission.