Diocese of Bridgeport: Not a Lobbyist

As we reported in the WJMJ Religious Headlines yesterday, Connecticut's Office of State Ethics has decided to stop its inquiry into whether the Diocese of Bridgeport needs to register as a lobbyist. The Office had said the Church's organization of rallies at the State Capitol made the Church a lobbyist group, and must register as such. The Diocese sued for an injunction against this request. The American Civil Liberties Union sided with the Diocese in this case. On June 30, the state's Attorney General, Richard Blumenthal urged for the end of the investigation. Ethics enforcement officer T.J. Jones will close the investigation, in light of Blumenthal's letter.

The Diocese has issued the following statement in response to the end of this probe:

“We are pleased to hear that the Office of State Ethics will abide by the Attorney General’s opinion and drop its action against the Diocese of Bridgeport.

“This is welcome news, not only for the Diocese but for all citizens who cherish the fundamental rights guaranteed by the First Amendment.

“We look forward to receiving written confirmation from the Office of State Ethics. At that time we will make a decision on our lawsuit.”

Bishop Lori on Fox News Website

Fox News has picked up on a story we first reported at the end of May. As of 2:15 p.m., the story is the front page article on Foxnews.com.

You can read our May coverage of this story here.

Connecticut's Office of State Ethics says the Church must register as a lobbyist group because it organized rallies at the Capitol. The Roman Catholic Diocese of Bridgeport filed a federal lawsuit against the state. Church officials are asking the court to issue an injunction against the Office of State Ethics' decision.

Bishop Lori tells Foxnews.com, "We were simply seeking to fulfill our mission, to continue to be ourselves." Later he remarks, "It seems to me that by requiring a diocese or any other entity to register with the state before it can protest an unfriendly action by the state has a chilling affect. I don't think it's in anyone's interest that a protest rally be labeled lobbying."