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	Church Vs. Government in Money Handling By Bob Wilson WTNH March 8, 2009 http://www.wtnh.com/dpp/news/news_wtnh_newhaven_church_government_money_handling_200903082300_rev1 [with video] New Haven (WTNH) - Some high-profile cases involving embezzlement of church funds has led some lawmakers to call for more oversight. But some church leaders want the state to keep out of their books. Many parishioners are angry because two lawmakers are submitting a bill that would require the Roman Catholic Church to appoint a board of 7 to 12 parishioners to tell the priests and archbishops how to spend the money. They also want the church to open up their books to the parishioners after a priest from Darien embezzled more than a million dollars from that parish. "Most importantly it will allow members of a congregation to participate in the board of directors and oversee the finances of the church," Senator Andrew McDonald, of Stamford, said. A letter was read in all Catholic churches across the state from the archbishops, telling parishioners that the state shouldn't tell the church how to run its business. "They are really trying to take the power away from the archbishops, in running the corporation, as all the parishes come under one corporation," Rev. Philip Sharkey, of Hamden's St. Rita Church, said. News Channel 8 spoke to one of the parishioners on the board of finance at St. Michael's and he revealed parishioners watch over the money from the plate all the way to the bank accounts. News Channel 8, at WTNH.com, has received dozens of e-mails saying this is a bad idea. "Trust in God, trust in your church, trust in the way things have always run," Jo-Anne Consiglio said. "And, yeah there is always a sour apple in the bunch but for the most part I think the churches are running themselves and if the government steps in and runs the church, isn't there supposed to be a separation of religion and government? And isn't that crossing the line?"
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