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mahatmakanejeeves

(56,897 posts)
Fri Jul 10, 2020, 07:55 AM Jul 2020

AP: After lobbying, Catholic Church won $1.4B in virus aid

Source: Associated Press

AP: After lobbying, Catholic Church won $1.4B in virus aid
By REESE DUNKLIN and MICHAEL REZENDES
an hour ago

NEW YORK (AP) -- The U.S. Roman Catholic Church used a special and unprecedented exemption from federal rules to amass at least $1.4 billion in taxpayer-backed coronavirus aid, with many millions going to dioceses that have paid huge settlements or sought bankruptcy protection because of clergy sexual abuse cover-ups.

The church's haul may have reached -- or even exceeded -- $3.5 billion, making a global religious institution with more than a billion followers among the biggest winners in the U.S. government's pandemic relief efforts, an Associated Press analysis of federal data released this week found.

Houses of worship and faith-based organizations that promote religious beliefs aren't usually eligible for money from the U.S. Small Business Administration. But as the economy plummeted and jobless rates soared, Congress let faith groups and other nonprofits tap into the Paycheck Protection Program, a $659 billion fund created to keep main street open and Americans employed.

By aggressively promoting the payroll program and marshaling resources to help affiliates navigate its shifting rules, Catholic dioceses, parishes, schools and other ministries have so far received approval for at least 3,500 forgivable loans, AP found.

The Archdiocese of New York, for example, received 15 loans worth at least $28 million just for its top executive offices. Its iconic St. Patrick's Cathedral on Fifth Avenue was approved for at least $1 million.

In Orange County, California, where a sparkling glass cathedral estimated to cost over $70 million recently opened, diocesan officials working at the complex received four loans worth at least $3 million.

And elsewhere, a loan of at least $2 million went to the diocese covering Wheeling-Charleston, West Virginia, where a church investigation revealed last year that then-Bishop Michael Bransfield embezzled funds and made sexual advances toward young priests.

{snip}

Read more: https://apnews.com/dab8261c68c93f24c0bfc1876518b3f6



Hat tip, WTOP, at 7:53 a.m.

-- -- -- -- --

"... a loan of at least $2 million went to the diocese covering Wheeling-Charleston, West Virginia, where a church investigation revealed last year that then-Bishop Michael Bransfield embezzled funds and made sexual advances toward young priests."


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FakeNoose

(32,356 posts)
4. Chump's buying "Catholic" votes with US Treasury funds
Fri Jul 10, 2020, 08:47 AM
Jul 2020

Are you guys OK with this? Because I'm not, and I was raised a Catholic.

This chit has got to stop -- NOW! I don't even care how they're trying to justify this, it is an election year and we all know what's happening. He's buying votes.





mahatmakanejeeves

(56,897 posts)
8. The loans are forgivable.
Fri Jul 10, 2020, 10:07 AM
Jul 2020
Catholic dioceses, parishes, schools and other ministries have so far received approval for at least 3,500 forgivable loans, AP found.

Bayard

(21,806 posts)
9. They should be paying taxes then!
Fri Jul 10, 2020, 10:15 AM
Jul 2020

"Houses of worship and faith-based organizations that promote religious beliefs aren't usually eligible for money from the U.S. Small Business Administration. But as the economy plummeted and jobless rates soared, Congress let faith groups and other nonprofits tap into the Paycheck Protection Program, a $659 billion fund created to keep main street open and Americans employed."

Non-profit my ass!

 

Cartaphelius

(868 posts)
10. It isn't tough to imagine
Fri Jul 10, 2020, 10:27 AM
Jul 2020

the republicans to pay the catholic church federal dollars, $1.4 billion,
to overset the costs incurred by the church for allowing, endorsing and hiding
the institutional neglect that is centuries old.

It is the same playbook they use for their own abuses of the citizens of
America.

riversedge

(69,727 posts)
11. As I read this, I really have a sinking feeling--like giving up. This is so wrong and it
Fri Jul 10, 2020, 10:28 AM
Jul 2020

will continue on and on. sinking.

mahatmakanejeeves

(56,897 posts)
12. Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor?
Fri Jul 10, 2020, 10:59 AM
Jul 2020


Bluto's Speech from Animal House
555,600 views•Oct 28, 2012

Michael Kirkpatrick
1.27K subscribers

John Belushi gives this motivational speech to his Delta House brothers in "Animal House".

DENVERPOPS

(8,679 posts)
13. Pedophile grifters in the church
Fri Jul 10, 2020, 11:18 AM
Jul 2020

Pedophile grifters in Washington................

merely looking out for each other............

diva77

(7,606 posts)
18. Interesting that with recent SCOTUS decision allowing discrimination in hiring practices, this will
Fri Jul 10, 2020, 03:05 PM
Jul 2020

make any kind of whistle blowing or questioning of "the establishment" less likely. A closed loop. No accountability.

k&r for exposure

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