Commentary
Church's supposedly nonpolitical DVD takes sides in the governor's race
by Adam J. CopelandGrand Forks, N.D. — Last week, the Catholic Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis endorsed the Republican candidate for governor of Minnesota. Well, not really, but it only takes a little reading between the lines to draw that conclusion.
If you're Catholic and you live in the Twin Cities area, you've received a DVD explaining the church's teaching on traditional marriage and supporting a constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriage. Didn't get one? Try your neighbor -- the church sent 400,000.
Until now, the question of gay marriage has drawn very little attention in Minnesota this election cycle. The DFL and Independent Party nominees both support it, while the Republican nominee supports an amendment banning it. But this year in Minnesota, as around the country, same-sex marriage is largely a fringe issue due to more pressing concerns. Minnesota projects a $6 billion deficit in the coming fiscal biennium. That's six billion dollars.
According to Archbishop John Nienstedt, an anonymous donor gave the funds for the DVDs. Nienstedt doesn't know their cost. The DVD label says, "View now for an urgent message." But in a long interview with Minnesota Public Radio, the archbishop refused to accept the notion that the DVD is overtly political.
I'm a pastor. I understand the difference between preaching about a political issue and advocating for a specific candidate. I get that it's a thin line sometimes.
What infuriates me here is that the DVD addresses, of all things, same-sex marriage -- not teacher layoffs or cuts to local government aid. Not the unemployment rate or the thousands of children living in poverty. Not the $6 billion deficit. Apparently these issues don't deserve a single DVD, let alone 400,000 copies.
Many Twin Cities-area Catholics have joined social-media campaigns to send the DVDs back unopened. St. Paul blogger Eric Celeste suggests putting them in the offering plate. Maybe that's a campaign Archbishop Nienstedt could speak to clearly.
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Adam J. Copeland is pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Hallock, Minn., and a graduate student in communication at the University of North Dakota. He is also a blogger, free-lance writer and a source in MPR's Public Insight Network. This piece also appears on the Christian Century blog.
Comments (7)
Seems to me, regardless of whether the DVD endorses a candidate or merely toes the line, anything coming close to political speech shouldn't be allowed by a non-profit organization. Every other non-profit I know loses their tax-exempt status if they engage in political endorsement. Why is the Church an exception?
We received two DVD's. Why two? Because a few years back we felt that the Cathedral was too political from the pulpit and switched churches .
I have not watched the DVD yet, but I plan on watching it this weekend.
Will it change my views? No.
Will I give it back in the collection plate? No. That would be political and I don't believe in being political in church.
Do I agree with a single stance Archbishop John Nienstedt has taken related to homosexuals? No.
It's my opinion that from the time he was appointed he has taken a caustic and sometimes borderline hateful stance against homosexuals.
Ironically it's widely known that a number of Catholic Priests are homosexual.
This is why I no longer give money to the Catholic Church, but instead donate to a great organization called Catholic Charities.
As far as I'm concerned Archbishop John Nienstedt can't retire soon enough.
His actions have caused community and familial rifts more than he's taken the role of gentle shepherd which was his initial promise.
[What infuriates me here is that the DVD addresses, of all things, same-sex marriage -- not teacher layoffs or cuts to local government aid. Not the unemployment rate or the thousands of children living in poverty. Not the $6 billion deficit. Apparently these issues don't deserve a single DVD, let alone 400,000 copies. ]
Wouldn't including all of these hot issues be seen as the church being even MORE political?
@Michael - Are you trying to tell me that groups like Greenpeace and MADD do not get involved in political endorsement? Many non-profits are heavily involved in the political process, for better or worse.
I attended Tuesday night's multi-faith prayer service for respect, a moving evening of solidarity with the Muslim community in Minneapolis.
But I have to say, I had a very hard time sitting through Father Rutten's greetings from the Archbishop, and their message.
The service, as a whole, espoused "ethics of compassion, justice, love and non-violence; hope for peace, well-being, and alleviation of suffering for all" (from the program).
I was particularly challenged by another part that said "practice civil and skillful dialog" and "practice tolerance of differences we don't understand or appreciate."
How the Archbishops representative could just sit there and act like this applies when comforting Muslims, but watch as a million dollars is poured into 400,000 demonizing DVDs? The cognitive dissonance is impressive!
As a long-time Unitarian Universalist, one question I'd like to ask Father Rutten and the Bishop: My faith calls out for marriage equality. Not as a political statement, but as a carefully and long thought out reflection of our theology. If you espouse tolerance in community, how do you reconcile a stance that negates a core tenet of your coreligionists, the UUs, and our faithful belief?
"Every other non-profit I know loses their tax-exempt status if they engage in political endorsement. Why is the Church an exception?"
Incorrect. They may endorse candidates or political topics, but cannot use federal or state funding for lobbying. The money spent for the DVDs is from an individual, not the church. I agree with Adam for the most part, just wanted to clarify this point.
Thankfully the Catholic Church is made up of many more hearts and minds than the Bishops'.
What's incredible to me is how tone deaf the Twin Cities' Catholic bishop is. Soon he'll be announcing a number of parish and/or school closures as part of an Archdiocesan analysis. No doubt this DVD will turn away a number of other donors who could support the good things that happen in the Church. I wish he'd spend more time building community instead of tearing it down.
"What infuriates me here is that the DVD addresses, of all things, same-sex marriage -- not teacher layoffs or cuts to local government aid. Not the unemployment rate or the thousands of children living in poverty. Not the $6 billion deficit. Apparently these issues don't deserve a single DVD, let alone 400,000 copies. "
If that is true what DVD has your church sent out? Why spend your time discussing the DVD and not spend it discussing the issues that you feel are truly important? But hey Catholic bashing always attracts more eyeballs than children in poverty. I get why MPR does it - why does a Pastor from Hallock need to join in?
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