Parishioners must be aware of this action by the Oregon Tax Court regarding rectories and make up their own minds. Below is one Oregon Catholics viewpoint.
Please click on the link below the guest post for all court information.
I read the
decision after I read the article. The Archdiocese wasted their time. They
tried to argue the case with Canon Law. Stupid (What's new?). However, the
Court seemed to have decided the case on the issue of a rectory being used
for "solely" religious activities. Whether the rectory was on or next door
to the parish property or a mile away would not change the use of the
Rectory. The priest will still be doing exactly the same things there
regardless of location. Again, I am with your reader's
questioning of the general idea of these "off-campus" rectories or
their appointments. But I think there are larger issues at play here. We
know there is a long standing antipathy towards Catholics and Catholicism in
Oregon. This general anti-religious push is growing in our country
driven by pro-abortion and homosexual lobbies which are now very powerful
and influential. The "sole use" argument that the Court accepted is going to
be used as a hammer in which to further tax church income/properties. For example, an off property building owned by a parish is rented for
non-religious purposes. That income goes to the parish tax free now and
is probably used to sustain parish activities. I can see a Tax Court
ruling that income from non-religious events is taxable (in other words it
will be ruled a for-profit business). Next will come a case on whether
on-site uses of church property for ostensively "non-religious" uses (a
Lions Club event) will be considered taxable. Events such as those are
secular activities. And on and on ending with the only things that can be
done on church owned property will be sacramental activities (Baptism, Mass,
Confession, Confirmation, and funerals), counseling and teaching. Basically doing what Mexico did to the Church in the early 20th
century. We are seeing it already where government is using grants to
force religious entities to deny or restrain their beliefs or
missions in order to get or retain government grants. Then again I'm
not sure that losing government grants is a bad thing. Look at what has
happened to Catholic Charities. So I do appreciate the comments.
To be honest the wounds are often self inflicted or invited. This may be one
of them. But it will not stop here. There is an agenda at
play.
One other thing and I know you'll agree. Where
was the fancy pro-abortion lobbyist that the Archdiocese employs? Just what
does he do for that $40,000-50,000 a year? With the Legislature in session,
why no push for pre-emptive statutory relief? Where were those "allies"
of our Chancellery crowd, AKA Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon?
Also why were
the people who would pay these taxes (those of us in the pews)
not alerted to this? (Move on folks, nothing to see here. Just keep
those envelopes coming). I called the Catholic Sentinel and asked Langlois
about it. He did not even know of it. and I genuinely believe he was telling
the truth.
No one that I spoke with in Financial Services at the Chancellery
knew. Its almost Keystone Cops down there. Our church
authorities are completely clueless in the use of political action
(rallies, protests, etc.) to protect Catholics from governmental
encroachment. I could go on but I'll end it here. Again appreciate your
reader's comments.
The
Archdiocese of Portland is announcing its 2015 clergy reassignments.
The changes take effect July 1 unless noted otherwise. Here are the new
assignments:
PASTORS
Father Brian Allbright
New assignment: Pastor, St. Cyril, Wilsonville Previous assignment: Administrator, Sacred Heart, Newport
Father Allbright was born in 1953 in Portland. He attended Central
Catholic High School, the Oregon College of Education in Monmouth and
the Maryknoll School of Theology in Maryknoll, N.Y. He was ordained in
1983 by Cardinal Terrance Cooke for the Maryknoll Missioners.
He
traveled to Guatemala, where he was pastor of San Antonio in Sayaxche
until 1987. He served as pastor at a refugee camp in Honduras for two
years and pastor in a Honduras community for six years. Father Allbright
worked in Seattle and then Los Angeles promoting the Maryknoll mission
work. He came to Portland in 2001, serving as parochial vicar at St.
Joseph in Salem, then St. Anne in Portland, and then as administrator of
St. Alexander, Cornelius before beginning service in Newport.
Father Martin King
New assignment: Pastor, St. Thomas More, Portland. On sabbatical until Dec. 1. Previous assignment: special assignment, military leave
Father King, 60, was raised in a Catholic family in Lorain, Ohio.
Before entering seminary, he served in the U.S. Air Force for a decade
as a transportation management officer and an Air Force training
instructor in the U.S., Korea and The Philippines.
While in seminary, he remained in the Air Force Reserves.
He was ordained in 1996 for the Archdiocese for Military Services,
but was affiliated with the Archdiocese of Portland. Military chaplains
return to their affiliated dioceses when they retire from the military.
In 1999, Father King returned to the Air Force, this time as a
chaplain, starting at MacDill Air Base in Tampa Fla., where he was
spiritual guide for 2,500 men and women, plus Catholic retirees in the
area. His last assignment was as chaplain at the U.S. Air Force base in
Geilenkirchen, Germany.
Father Jeff Meeuwsen
New assignment: Pastor, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, Aloha Previous assignment: Study, North American College, Rome
Father Meeuwsen was born in Hillsboro in 1977. He attended St.
Francis of Assisi School in Roy and graduated from Valley Catholic High
in 1995. He earned a bachelor’s degree in 1999 from Gonzaga University
in Spokane. He entered Mount Angel Seminary in the fall of 2001. His
ministry has included work at Sacred Heart Elementary School, Gervais,
St. Joseph the Worker Parish, Portland, Blanchet High School, Salem and
St. Cecilia Parish, Beaverton. He earned a master’s degree and a master
of divinity degree at Mount Angel Seminary in 2007. Before entering
Mount Angel Seminary, he taught at Visitation Catholic School in
Verboort.
He has served at St. Edward , North Plains, St. Anthony, Forest Grove, and Sacred Heart, Medford.
Father Louis Urbanski
New assignment: Pastor, St. Edward, North Plains Previous assignment: Pastor, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, Aloha
Father Urbanski, who turns 77 on June 19, was born in Atkinson, Neb.
He attended Central Catholic High School in Portland, graduating in 1956
and began studies at the University of Portland before beginning at
Mount Angel Seminary. He did advanced studies at University of Portland,
Portland State University, University of Oregon and St. John’s College
in Collegeville, Minn.
He was ordained in 1964 at St. Mary Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception by Archbishop Edward Howard.
Father Urbanski taught in Catholic high schools for the first decade
of his priesthood, living and helping at St. Charles, St. Rose, St.
Peter and St. Pius X parishes and then served as principal of Regis High
in Stayton and Valley Catholic in Beaverton.
As a parish priest, he served at St. Therese and St. Elizabeth of Hungary in Portland before taking the post in Aloha.
ADMINISTRATORS
Father Mark Gikenyi
New assignment: Administrator, Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Rainier/St. John the Baptist, Clatskanie Previous assignment: Administrator, St. Cyril, Wilsonville
Father Mark Gikenyi was born in 1978 in Kisii South (Gucha), Kenya.
He graduated from the Salvatorian Institute of Philosophy and Theology
in Morogoro, Tanzania, in 2005 and entered Mount Angel Seminary in 2006.
His ministry preparation in Oregon has included All Saints, Portland,
St. John, Milwaukie, St. Mary, Corvallis, and Our Lady of Sorrows,
Southeast Portland. He has previously served at St. John the Baptist,
Milwaukie.
Father William Palmer
New assignment: Administrator, Sacred Heart, Newport/St. Mary Siletz Previous assignment: Parochial Vicar, St. Mary, Eugene
Father Palmer was born in 1960 in Cottage Grove. He graduated from
Cottage Grove High School in 1978. He received a bachelor of arts in
religious studies from Cardinal Stritch University in Milwaukie,
Wisconsin in 2003. That year, he also earned a master of divinity degree
from the Sacred Heart School of Theology.
He was ordained in the Diocese of Tyler, Texas in 2003. His last
assignment was as pastor of Mary Queen of Heaven Parish in Malakoff,
Texas.
PAROCHIAL VICARS
Father Eric Andersen
New assignment: Parochial Vicar, St. Stephen, Portland Previous assignment: Parochial vicar, Holy Trinity Church, Bandon
Father Andersen was born in 1967. He attended the University of
Oregon and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in theater in 1990. He
completed a master’s degree and a sacred theology bachelor’s degree at
Mount Angel Seminary and was ordained in 2009 by Archbishop John Vlazny.
He has served at Our Lady of the Mountain in Ashland, Christ the King
in Milwaukie, St. John the Baptist in Milwaukie, St. Cecilia in
Beaverton, Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Verboort, Sacred
Heart in Medford, St. Mary in Eugene and Sacred Heart-St. Louis in
Gervais.
Father Scott Baier
New assignment: Parochial vicar, St. Luke, Woodburn. He was ordained on June 5 by Archbishop Sample.
Father Baier was born in 1978 in Edmonds, Wash. His family moved to
the Portland area in 1983 and he graduated from Columbia River High
School in 1996. He went on to study at the University of Washington in
Seattle, doing a year’s study in St. Petersburg, Russia. He worked for
several companies, including Catholic Community Services, St. Luke
Productions and Safeway.
Father Baier entered Mount Angel Seminary in 2008. His pastoral
assignments have included St. Philip Benizi Parish in Redland and The
Madeleine Parish in Portland. He studied in Mexico and Costa Rica, and
went through chaplain training at Swedish Hospital in Seattle. As a
deacon he has served at St. Alexander Parish in Cornelius and St. Luke
Parish in Woodburn.
Father Manuel Becerra
New assignment: Parochial vicar, St. Anthony, Tigard He was ordained on June 5 by Archbishop Sample.
Father Becerra was born in 1977 in Cúcuta, Colombia. He attended
elementary and secondary schools in Cúcuta, graduating from high school
in 1995. He studied at the Universidad Francisco de Paul Santander in
Cúcuta and the Universidad Minuto de Dios in Bogota. Rev. Mr. Becerra
studied at the Congregation of Jesus and Mary Seminary in Bogota, and
began studying for the Archdiocese of Portland in 2010, at St. Patrick
Seminary in Menlo Park, Calif. His ministry training assignments have
included St. Luke Parish, Woodburn and clinical pastoral education at
St. Joseph Medical Center, Tacoma, Wash. He has also served at Our Lady
of the Lake Parish, Lake Oswego, St. Anthony Parish, Forest Grove, St.
Edward Parish, North Plains, and St. Joseph Parish, Mountain View,
Calif.
Father Fredy Bonilla
New assignment: Parochial vicar, St. Vincent de Paul, Salem He was ordained on June 5 by Archbishop Sample.
Father Bonilla was born in 1982 in La Argentina, Colombia. He
attended elementary and secondary schools in Al Argentina, graduating
high school in 2001. He earned a degree in philosophy from Sepavi School
in Medellin in 2004. He then attended the seminary Villa Paúl in Funza,
Colombia, earning a theology degree in 2008. He entered Mount Angel
Seminary in 2011 and has been serving at The Madeleine Parish in
Northeast Portland.
Father Gregg Bronsema
New Assignment: Parochial vicar, St. Thomas More, Portland, July 1-Sept. 15 He was ordained on June 5 by Archbishop Sample.
Father Bronsema was born in 1956 in Chicago. He graduated from
Portland Christian High School in 1975 then earned an architecture
degree at the University of Oregon. He graduated in 1986 from Fuller
Theological Seminary in Pasadena, Calif. and ministered at Portland
Foursquare Church from 1986 to 1993. He worked for Christian Supply
Center in Portland until his entrance into Mount Angel Seminary for
pre-theology studies in 2009. He completed the bachelor’s degree in
theology at the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas in Rome in
2014.
Father Timothy Furlow
New assignment: Parochial vicar, St. Juan Diego, Portland, July 1-Sept. 15 He was ordained on June 5 by Archbishop Sample.
Father Furlow was born in 1982 in Portland. He attended Holy Trinity
School in Beaverton and graduated from a homeschool program in 2000. He
attended the University of Portland from 2000-’02 before moving to
Azerbaijan to teach English. In 2004, he began studies at the Franciscan
University of Steubenville and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in
theology and philosophy in 2007. That same year he began youth ministry
work at St. Cecilia Parish in Beaverton, where he worked until entering
Mount Angel Seminary in 2010. He transferred to Pontifical North
American College in Rome, earning a baccalaureate in sacred theology in
2013. He has been pursuing a licentiate in moral theology at the
Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas.
Father George Kuforiji
New assignment: Parochial vicar, Holy Trinity, Bandon/St. John, Port Orford. He was ordained on June 5 by Archbishop Sample.
Father Kuforiji was born in 1951 in Oshogbo, Nigeria. He attended
elementary school at St. Benedict School in Oshogbo and graduated from
St. Joseph College High School in Ondo in 1969. He studied at the
University of Washington in Seattle, graduating with a bachelor’s degree
in civil engineering in 1983. Prior to entering the seminary, he worked
with the Oregon Department of Transportation. He entered the seminary
in 2010, and was installed as a lector and an acolyte in 2013. He
studied theology at the Sacred Heart School of Theology in Hales
Corners, Wis. His ministry training has included assignments at St.
Vincent Church in Salem, St. Francis of Assisi in Milwaukee, Wis., and
chaplain’s training at St. Joseph Hospital in Tacoma, Wash.
Father Julio Cesar Torres Montejo
New assignment: Parochial vicar, St. Anthony, Tigard Previous Assignment: Parochial vicar, St. Joseph, Salem
Father Montejo was born in Cardenas, Tabasco, Mexico in 1982. He
attended elementary and secondary schools in Aqua Dulce, Veracruz,
Mexico, graduating high school in 2000. He studied at the Major Seminary
of Mary Immaculate earning a bachelor’s degree in philosophy in 2004
and a bachelor’s degree in theology in 2007. He earned a master of
divinity from the Sacred Heart School of Theology in Hales Corners,
Wis., in 2014. He was ordained a priest by Archbishop Sample in 2014. His ministry training includes a pastoral year at St. John the Apostle Parish in Oregon City.
Father Leonard Omolo, ALCP
New assignment: Parochial vicar, Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Albany Previous Assignment: Parochial vicar, Immaculate Heart of Mary, Portland
Father Omolo was born in 1972 in Kisumu, Kenya. He earned a
bachelor’s degree in sacred theology in 2005. He was ordained in 2007 in
the Archdiocese of Kisumu for the order of the Apostolic Life Community
of Priests Holy Spirit Fathers. He spent a year and a half in his last
assignment as assistant priest in Rombo, Tanzania for the Diocese of
Moshi.
Father Edgar Rivera
New assignment: Parochial vicar, St. Mary, Eugene. He was ordained June 5 by Archbishop Alexander Sample.
Father Rivera was born in Tepic, Nayarit, Mexico, in 1981. He
attended elementary and secondary schools in Tepic, graduating high
school in 1998. He attended the Universidad Autonoma de Nayarit in
Tepic, where he earned a degree in accounting in 2004. He entered the
Seminario Hispano de Santa Maria de Guadalupe in Mexico City in 2004. He
attended the Instituto de Estudios Ecclesiasticos where he earned a
degree in philosophy in 2007. He later enrolled at Mount Angel Seminary.
His ministry training has included an assignment at St. Luke Parish,
Woodburn, clinical pastoral education in Washington, D.C, and a pastoral
year at St. Edward Parish, North Plains and at St. Alexander,
Cornelius.
Father Edwin Sanchez
New assignment: Parochial Vicar, St. Joseph, Salem. He was ordained on June 5 by Archbishop Sample.
Father Sanchez was born in 1985 in Bogota, Colombia. He attended
elementary and secondary schools in Pitalito, Huila, Colombia,
graduating high school in 2002. He entered the Seminary Maria Immaculada
where he studied philosophy. He attended St. Patrick’s Seminary in
Menlo Park, Calif., where he earned a bachelor’s degree in philosophy in
2010. He continued his studies at St. Patrick’s Seminary.
Father Ben Tapia
New assignment: Parochial vicar, St. Henry, Gresham Previous assignment: Parochial vicar, St. Edward, North Plains
Father Tapia was born in 1982 in Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico. He
attended elementary and secondary schools in Tijuana, graduating in
2000 and studied at the Instituto Superior de Estudios Ecleciasticos,
earning a bachelor’s degree in philosophy in 2004. He attended St.
John’s Seminary in Camarillo, Calif., where he earned a master’s degree
in spirituality in 2011 and a master of divinity degree in 2012.
His
ministry has included work with a youth group in Mexico City, working
with the poor in Colombia, at Queen of Peace in Salem, as a Jesuit
Volunteer in Spain, at St. Patrick in Carlsbad, Calif., at Sharp Mercy
Hospital in San Diego, at St. James in Solana Beach, Calif. and at St.
John Eudes in Chatsworth, Calif.
He was ordained by Archbishop Vlazny at St. Mary Cathedral in 2012.
He has previously served at St. Edward, North Plains, St. Alexander, Cornelius, and Sacred Heart, Medford.
Video courtesy of Catholic News Agency:
Bishop Oliver Dashe Doeme, head of the Diocese of Maiduguri in
Nigeria's Borno State, was in a chapel praying before the Blessed
Sacrament last December when, he says, something extraordinary happened:
Jesus Christ appeared holding a sword, which He offered to the prelate.
According to Bishop Dashe, the moment he took the sword from Jesus'
hands, it transformed into Rosary beads. He then heard Christ repeat
three times, “Boko Haram is gone.”
The bishop recalls, “I didn't need any prophet to give me the
explanation. It was clear that with the Rosary we would be able to expel
Boko Haram.”
Boko Haram is the Islamic group that's been massacring Christian civilians in Nigeria and beyond for several years. It
originally was tied to Al Quaeda, but now formally pledges allegiance
to the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria. Bishop Doeme says he's seen the
size of his diocese cut in half since Boko Haram started ramping up its
violent activity in 2009. Most fled for safer grounds.
“Despite all this,” the Nigerian prelate says, “we do not give up our
public witness to our faith.” He affirms, “I wear my episcopal robes
publicly, because on the day I agreed to be bishop I knew I was signing
my death sentence.”
Boko Haram has reportedly been used in the recent past as a
bargaining tool by the United States. Bishop Emmanuel Badejo of Oyo,
Nigeria states,
“The United States actually said it would help Nigeria with Boko Haram
only if we modify our laws concerning homosexuality, family planning and
birth control.”
Bishop Dashe also has problems with the West, which he notes isn't free of problems itself. “In Europe and America you have your own demons: abortion, homosexual pseudo-marriage and secularism.”
The bishop hesitated in the beginning to tell anyone about the
apparition, but soon began getting strong urges from the Holy Spirit to
share its message. So he started to tell priests in his diocese what
happened. Eventually, he announced it at a Catholic event in Spain
supporting Christian victims of Islamic violence.
He's since gone on a “consolation tour” through diocesan communities,
promoting prayer, forgiveness and persistent faith. He believes Jesus
wants him to advocate praying the Rosary in order to assist them in
these efforts.
“Maybe that’s why He did it,” Bishop Dashe remarks about the apparition.
“Our faith is unwavering,” he remarks. “Even when they suffer
killings, Christians still go to church, and Christian activities in
public life continue.”
Continuing, the bishop declares, “They can destroy our buildings and our lives, but they cannot destroy our faith in Christ.”
He expresses further confidence in the intercession of Blessed “Mamma
Mary” toward instilling a peaceful recovery of his diocese.
His country's bishops have already jointly consecrated Nigeria to Our Lady in recent years.
“Boko Haram is evil, demonic, and can only be removed through prayer,” Bishop Dashe says.
Citing Jesus' words in the apparition, he insists that no matter how
long it takes, with faith in the Most Holy Rosary, “Boko Haram is gone.”
Ryan Fitzgerald is a staff writer and producer for ChurchMilitant.com
Follow Ryan on Twitter: @RyanFitz1111
As a kid I remember being fascinated by a door in the side of the
sanctuary at St. John’s Church in Fairview, NJ. It was very mysterious.
Only the priests ever used it. The explanation was pretty mundane.
There was an enclosed walkway over the driveway between the church and
the rectory.
Father John Tran of St. Mary Star of the Sea Catholic Church in
Astoria Oregon doesn’t have a sweet deal like that. His rectory is
about a mile and a half from the church. And that arrangement may be
what had the parish in the Oregon Tax Court facing the Clatsop County Assessor.
Following what I have come to believe is the assessor’s code “When in
doubt, tax it”, the parish had not been granted a property tax exemption
for the rectory.
What Makes A Rectory A Rectory?
There is little that shocks me and I can’t say that this case is an
exception, but I do find it rather surprising. The Oregon Tax Court
ended up approving the assessor’s denial of the exemption.
Father Todd Molinari , Vicar for Clergy of the Archdiocese of Portland testified about rectories.
Molinari testified that there has been Canon Law regarding rectories
for centuries. Canon Law 533 requires priests to reside in a rectory
near the church they serve. According to that law, “[a] pastor is
obliged to reside in a rectory near the church.” Molinari testified that
that requirement is interpreted as requiring a rectory “within the
territory of the church parish.” Molinari testified that a priest is
given an endowment for an entire territory; the rectory enables the
priest to faithfully execute his ministry duties within his assigned
territory. Molinari testified that the rectory has to be within a
“reasonable distance” to the church so the priest can facilitate his
ministry, but because the priest has to be available to his
parishioners, the rectory must be within a reasonable distance to the
parishioners as well.
He began by explaining that the Church operates under the concept of
“sustenance,” which means the local parish has to provide for the basic
necessities of its priest. The particular requirements within a given
archdiocese are usually spelled out in the policies of that archdiocese.
The rectory must be within a reasonable distance to the church
facilities, and provide a place for the priest to sleep, cook his meals,
do his laundry, and have an area for study. The rectory must also have
space for an assistant priest in the event there is one, and for
seminarians studying for the priesthood who would be given a temporary
assignment at a rectory. The rectory must also have space for visiting
priests. The rectory is to be used for the purposes of the priest’s
ministry.
St. Mary’s Star Of The Sea And Father Tran
Apparently the Parish covers rather a large area – over 360 square
miles. I guess Catholics are thinner on the ground out there than they
were in Bergen County in the sixties. St. John’s covered less than two
square miles and had three full time priests supplemented by a Dominican
who did the late masses on Sunday. Besides the regular parish church
St. Mary’s has a “mission” where services are held to make it easier on
people who live too far from the main parish.
The property in dispute is the third rectory that has been owned by
the parish. The original rectory, next to the church, was converted to
administrative space and one within walking distance had been sold due
to problems with heating and being too small to host guests.
Father Tran also testified.
The testimony seems to indicate that he was pretty much using the rectory, like, you know, a rectory.
Tran testified that the subject rectory in Astoria is a two story
structure with a kitchen, a dining room, a study room, and a space on
the other side of the kitchen area where Tran can visit with guests; it
also has a master bedroom upstairs, two guest bedrooms, and a bonus room
over the garage where Tran works on all church decorations needed for
children to attend school mass. Tran testified on cross-examination that
he uses the rectory as his full-time personal residence. Tran sleeps in
the master bedroom. Tran testified that one of the guest bedrooms is
used by visiting priests. He did not provide any specifics about such
visits; how often they occur, how long a visiting priest stays, etc.
Tran testified that he prepares his own meals in the kitchen, and
prepares meals for other church related visitors when they stay at the
rectory. Tran later described the study as his library, explaining that
he has a desk and bookcases in that room. Tran testified that he
prepares sermons and homilies at the rectory. Tran testified that it
takes him less than five minutes to get from the rectory to the parish
by car.
The Decision
It probably has to do with my upbringing, but that assessor would not
have done that well if I was the judge. Of course, Magistrate Dan
Robinson had to consider the actual law and everything, while I’m just
looking at how this could be an updated version of Going My Way
The exemption for property owned by religious organization covers
houses of public worship and other additional buildings and property
used solely for administrative, education, literary, benevolent,
charitable, entertainment and recreational purposes by religious
organizations, the lots on which they are situated, and the pews, slips
and furniture therein. However, any part of any house of public worship
or other additional buildings or property which is kept or used *****
for any purpose other than those stated in this section shall be
assessed and taxed the same as other taxable property
When it comes to residences for clergy case law has evolved a
two-prong test. The official living in the residence must be required
to live there by either church doctrine or practical necessity and the
proximity of the residence to the house of worship must be necessary to
further religious objectives.
The Oregon Tax Court saw the proximity as not being necessary to further religious objectives.
Although Tran does write sermons and homilies at the rectory, those
duties do not require close physical proximity to the church. Tran could
prepare those messages anywhere in Astoria, including the church, where
he has at least one office. The other uses of the rectory have no
direct connection to the church; they certainly do not require a rectory
in close proximity to the church. There was generalized testimony about
the availability of guest bedrooms for visiting priests, deacons, and
seminarians, but no specific testimony or other evidence that such
officials have stayed at the subject property and, if so, how many and
how often they were there. Assuming such church officials did in fact
visit and stay overnight at the rectory, they could have slept in a
residence anywhere in Astoria, regardless of its location with respect
to the church.
Tran testified he teaches members of the Domus Dei Order at the
rectory on a monthly basis. That presents several questions. The Domus
Dei Order is in Washougal, Washington, and there is no evidence it is
part of the Portland archdiocese territory. If it is not, Plaintiff has
not established how their visitations to the rectory in Astoria further
the religious aims of St. Mary Church. Tran’s duties, according to his
supervisor Molinari, are to his parishioners. The relationship between
the parishioners and members of Domus Dei is unclear. In any event, Tran
could teach the members of the Domus Dei Order at the church or any
residence, regardless of its location with respect to the church. There
is simply no evidence that the proximity of the rectory to the church is
necessary to further the church’s religious objectives with regard to
Tran’s involvement with Domus Dei, or that such involvement directly
benefits the parishioners in any way. Tran does meet with his
parishioners, but those meetings are all scheduled to take place at the
church.
More Property Tax Coming For Oregon Catholic Parishes?
The decision closes with a somewhat ominous note.
Plaintiff argued in closing that all Catholic rectories in the
Portland archdiocese are exempt. That may be true, but there is not a
specific statutory grant of exemption for Catholic rectories. They are
exempt if they meet the applicable legal standards, which is the reason
actual use of the property must be examined in each case.
It would seem that many church rectories or parsonages, to use the
homey American term, would flunk the test laid out by the Oregon Tax
Court. It will be interesting to see whether this becomes a trend.
Parsonages have fallen out of favor with many Protestant denominations
where the big tax subsidy is the federal income tax break that exempts
cash paid for housing allowances from income tax. The dubious
constitutionality of that provision has avoided scrutiny thanks to
rulings on nobody having standing to object to it.
Update
The last time this former altar boy tax blogger looked at a tax case
involving a Catholic parish was back in 2012, when I wrote about Saint Frances X. Cabrini parish in Scituate, Mass.
The Archdiocese lost the property tax exemption for the property
because the parish was being closed and parishioners have been occupying
it, which is not an exempt purpose. According to Reuters,
the parishioners have been ordered by the Norfolk County Superior Court
to vacate by June 5. The vigil has been going on for over a decade, so
there may be some drama if it really does end this week.
Correction
The original version of this post contained a link to the biography of a different Father Tran. See comments.
(VOCAL - look at comments in link above.)
There are many answers that Catholics need to ask when donating their hard-earned money to "Catholic" Relief Services, "Catholic" Campaign for Human Development and "Catholic" Charities.
When a Catholic identity is absent in hiring people, giving thousands of dollars to anti-Catholic groups as CCHD does, do we have a right for a disclaimer so groups that upheld the teachings of our Church get money we want directed as a donation to our Church?
I believe this is the tip of the iceberg. A simple phone call to these agencies stating that no more "Catholic" money will be donated until this disclaimer is honored will help the Church not to work against Herself.
Catholic News Service
VOCAL added picture
WASHINGTON
— A veteran Catholic Relief Services financial official has resigned in
the wake of report that he was in a same-sex marriage.
Rick Estridge, vice president for overseas finance, stepped down
after 16 years with the U.S. bishops' overseas aid and development
agency, saying "it was the right decision for me."
CRS announced Estridge's resignation in a statement emailed to
Catholic News Service June 3. The agency described Estridge as a "valued
employee."
"Because of the stress this situation has caused Mr. Estridge and his
family, he has made the decision to leave CRS," the statement said.
The statement also said that Estridge entered into a same-sex civil marriage in 2013.
The resignation comes six weeks after Michael Hichborn, president of the Lepanto
Institute, posted an unofficial copy of a marriage record from the
state of Maryland indicating Estridge's date of marriage, the name of
his spouse and their residence.
Hichborn's report included social media posts attributed to Estridge
in which the former CRS official supported gay rights and same-sex
marriage legislation.
"Given his position and his lifestyle, I don't think he belonged in a
Catholic agency," Hichborn told CNS June 3 after the resignation was
announced.
Catholic teaching holds that marriage is between one man and one woman.
In an interview posted May 18 on the website of Aleteia, a Rome-based
worldwide network that shares faith resources, Carolyn Woo, CEO and
president of CRS, said the agency was reviewing Estridge's situation.
"We're also dealing with a new intersection between, in this case,
state law and church teaching where the practice is being defined," she
said.
Estridge thanked CRS leadership "for providing me with the space to
make this determination during this difficult time," in the agency
statement. "I continue to have full faith in CRS' leadership and the
organization as a whole. I thank my team and the global finance
community for their hard work and dedication and have every belief that
they will continue to serve with excellence."
CRS commended Estridge for his work with the agency over the years.
"He has done a tremendous job during his years at CRS and will be
missed. We are grateful that he has agreed to be available as needed for
consultation to ensure a smooth transition," the statement said.
The agency said that Estridge was not Catholic and he held a position
that did not involve mission-related decisions and thus did not have to
be held by a Catholic.
"CRS also want to express its strong objection to these types of
attacks and tactics of the groups which launch them," without
identifying Hichborn or the institute. "The highly personal public
critique broadcast Mr. Estridge's home address and used derogatory terms
that are now part of the online record. This has caused great pain for
many people."
The agency said it remained committed to treating people with "the respect and compassion they deserve as children of God."
"We detest hurtful campaigns that do not build up, but undermine,
individuals and church agencies carrying out the mission of bringing the
love of Jesus Christ to those who are suffering," the statement added."
Hichborn was unapologetic in his response to the resignation, saying
that he believed that any Catholic organization should never hire anyone
who is not Catholic.
"The people (employed) really need to be practicing the faith," he
told CNS. "I think any Catholic apostolate needs to be Catholic in its
employees and its mission. It's not an industry. It's not just a job.
People need to be Catholic."
Hichborn, who said he was the Lepanto Institute's only employee, said he was simply presenting facts about Estridge that he uncovered after receiving a tip.
"There's no judgment here," he said. "It's a matter of fact. He
(Estridge) is living a life that is antithetical of Catholic teaching."
Hichborn also said that Estridge's skills will allow him to find work quickly.
"I will say I wish Mr. Estridge well. I hope he does repent of the
lifestyle he is living. I'm sorry that the way he was living was not in
line with Catholic teaching."
Please click on the link below the guest post for all court information. 
It
originally was tied to Al Quaeda, but now formally pledges allegiance
to the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria. Bishop Doeme says he's seen the
size of his diocese cut in half since Boko Haram started ramping up its
violent activity in 2009. Most fled for safer grounds.
“In Europe and America you have your own demons: abortion, homosexual pseudo-marriage and secularism.”
