Right to Care

Interesting.

Milwaukee Archbishop Timothy Dolan, who is temporarily serving as administrative head of the Green Bay diocese, has given St. John the Evangelist permission to do what it needs in the coming cold months to help the homeless, said Deacon Tim Reilly, diocesan director of administration.

Reilly said the diocese is protected under the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, because caring for the homeless is a religious mission that puts it outside the reach of government interference.

Mayor Jim Schmitt said the city may have the right to fine the diocese about $600 a day, but he doesn’t want to test the issue.

This reminds me of the Amish and how they refuse to comply with various regulations on religious grounds. 

1. Why doesn’t the Church just get a permit- it sounds like they are a shoo in to get one. 
   I’m sure the Church’s neighbors are not too happy with this as well.
   An no, Owen the Amish don’t do things like this.  Care to elaborate about the Amish comment?

   Posted by on November 04, 2007 at 1826 hrs




2. Dan,

   I agree that it doesn’t seem to be a big deal.  I don’t see why they wouldn’t just apply for the permit and move ahead on religious grounds if they are denied.  They may be trying to set some sort of precedent or something. 

   My understanding is that the Amish refuse to comply with certain livestock regulations, building codes, social security taxes, etc. under religions grounds.  I’m not saying that’s a bad thing.  I’m fine with it.

   Posted by Owen on November 04, 2007 at 1837 hrs




3. The problem has been that the COTS program caters to substance abusers and the mentally ill.  Because of complaints from the neighbors, the city decided to not renew its permit for this year.

   The church plans to work with the NEW Community Shelter, who has more resources, and it has promised greater communication with the city.

   I give them a lot of credit for standing up and pursuing its mission.

   Posted by hsgbdmama on November 04, 2007 at 1841 hrs




4. Here’s the Green Bay Press-Gazette story on it.

   http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/apps/pbcs.dll/artic le?AID=/20071103/GPG0101/711030483/1206/GPGnews

   The story has been updating daily, so I’m no longer certain of NEW Community Shelter’s invovlement (I think they are out of it for now), but the church is going to keep the lines of communication open with the residents.

   Posted by hsgbdmama on November 04, 2007 at 2048 hrs




5. New Community Shelter has dropped out.  Per television reports, they did not want to deal with the city sticking its nose into their operations.  The way it was phrased made it sound a bit suspicious.

   Posted by on November 04, 2007 at 2329 hrs




6. Also, in Wisconsin v. Yoder, the Supreme Court found for the Amish in a suit, declaring they didn’t have to send their children to school past the eighth grade.

   I recently took a a “historical” trip, visiting Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., Colonial Williamsburg, Gettysburg, and quite a few other places, including a day in Amish country, and that’s one of the main places my mind keeps returning to. They’re fascinating people, solemn, yet funny, and very open.

   Posted by on November 05, 2007 at 1335 hrs




7. Of the subject, apc, the Amish are a fascinating group of people, aren’t they?  Intriguing.

   Posted by on November 05, 2007 at 1420 hrs




8. GB Mayor Schmitt was on local talk radio this morning and most of questions were about homeless shelter.  The “church” says it will do background checking on people who want to stay in the shelter.  One caller asked why the church can do background checks on homeless but refuses to do any type of checking on illegals and does everything it can to support them in the community.  Mayor couldn’t answer and of course there was no one from catholic church to answer either.  I was told months ago by someone in GB city government who is very reliable that the catholic church specifically Fr. Ken DeGroot is running an underground for illegals thru his church St. Willebrod.

   Posted by on November 05, 2007 at 1634 hrs




9. The problem here is that the CITIZENS that are neighbors to St. Johns are getting shafted.  They have lived with the shelter in their backyards under temp conditions… They have done what they as citizens are told to do, talk to council members and get something done about the break-in’s, and the trash, and the polices calls, and the alleged sexual assault.  After the permit had been revoked and denied, the diocese and the catholic church breaks the law.  They change the name and hope that the citizens are wore down enough that they won’t fight anymore.  The Mayor goes along with it and says lets take it back to the council.  Big Brother knows best… you just dont know it yet…

   Posted by on November 05, 2007 at 2247 hrs