Connecticut drops lobbying complaint against Bridgeport diocese

July 01, 2009

The attorney general of Connecticut, Richard Blumenthal, has instructed a state ethics panel to drop an investigation of the Bridgeport Catholic diocese. The state ethics office had ordered the diocese to register as a lobby, pointing to a rally organized by the diocese to oppose legislation that would have forced a dramatic change in the economic and juridical structure of Church institutions. Blumenthal said the investigation should not be pursued because there was "no denying the profound and serious constitutional concerns in enforcing the lobbyist registration laws against the Church under these circumstances." Bridgeport's Bishop William Lori, who had vowed to fight the state enforcement action, welcomed the ruling as a vindication of religious freedom.

 

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Further information:

• Lobbying Probe Of Bridgeport Diocese Loses Momentum (Hartford Courant)
• Diocese of Bridgeport applauds the decision of State Attorney General Richard Blumenthal (Bridgeport diocese)