Jake Thomas
jthomas@portlandobserver.com
The Archdiocese of Portland has come out in support of Measures 66 and 67, arguing that in these tough times middle-income and poor Oregonians need help- even if that means reaching into the pockets of the wealthy.
Matt Cato, the director of the Archdiocese of Portland’s Justice and Peace/Respect Life Office cited the Catholic principle of the “option for the poor and vulnerable,” and draws on the gospel of the last judgment, in addition to other church documents pertaining to social justice.
One of the documents states that the “fundamental moral measure of any economy is how the poor and vulnerable are faring.”
Judging by key indicators in hunger, homelessness, and hunger Oregon is not doing so well, with the state in bottom rung for each category.
I wish the Archdiocese of Portland would also come out in favor of taxing churches and religious organizations as well. Making these tax free organizations pay there fair share would help fund vital services our communities need.
It is fundamentally unethical and a violation of Catholic moral teaching to take the property of one person and give it to another, especially when using coercion and deception to do so.
I am embarrassed that the Archdiocese of Portland is once again not only on the wrong side of the issue, but also violating the moral teachings of the Church in the process. It is just another example of why diocesan leadership should leave economics to the experts and those who actually work and produce the goods and services for the rest of the state.
Adam Tracy: Please educate yourself about corporate structures and taxes before making comments about them. Non-profit organizations pay just as much in (employment) taxes as anyone else. In addition, any net revenues are required to go towards charitable purposes. The only substantial difference is profit and property taxes, which are morally questionable in and of themselves.