Madison – The state Elections Board has dismissed a complaint against the Catholic Diocese of Madison, which included with a pre-election edition of its official newspaper an appeal that Catholics vote to change the state constitution to ban gay marriages. The board also dismissed a complaint against a suburban Madison church, Monona Oaks Community Church, that passed out 1,500 fliers that also urged a "yes" vote on the constitutional ban on gay marriages on Nov. 7.

 

The board unanimously dismissed the complaint filed by Michael W. Rewey of Madison, who said fliers inserted into the Oct. 26, 2006, issue of the Catholic Herald violated a state law that requires organizations that spend more than $25 on political activities to register with the Elections Board.

Donald Heaney, a lawyer for the Diocese, said records show that Rewey is a parishioner at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Madison and has subscribed to the newspaper since 1988.

Heaney noted that state law specifically allows organizations to communicate with its "members, shareholders or subscribers" on political issues that include endorsements and referendums without having to register with state officials.

Also Wednesday, the board also dismissed a complaint against a suburban Madison church, Monona Oaks Community Church, that passed out 1,500 fliers that also urged a "yes" vote on the constitutional ban on gay marriages on Nov. 7. Any violation of the law requiring organizations spending more than $25 on political activites to register involved only a few dollars, board members found.

Voters statewide approved the constitutional change to outlaw gay marriages.

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http://www.jsonline.com/watch/?watch=22&date=3/15/2007&id=20654