Inquiry Into IRS Investigations of Churches Is Sought

Expressing concern about the 1st Amendment rights of clergy, Rep. Adam B. Schiff (D-Burbank) and two Republican colleagues called Thursday for an investigation by the U.S. Government Accountability Office into the IRS’ recent probes of alleged “campaign intervention” by churches, including Pasadena’s liberal All Saints Church.

Schiff, whose district includes Pasadena, said he asked for information from the IRS on its church inquiries soon after learning in November that the local Episcopal church could lose its tax-exempt status because of an antiwar sermon preached by former Rector George Regas just before the 2004 presidential election.

Because the IRS has yet to respond to his request, Schiff said, “I’ve gone to the next level.”

On Thursday, Reps. Walter B. Jones (R-N.C.) and Joe Pitts (R-Pa.) joined with Schiff in sending a letter to GAO Comptroller General David M. Walker. They asked the office to look into reports that the IRS is investigating places of worship “based on the content of sermons or other discourse delivered as part of a religious service or gathering.”

Although the tax code prohibits tax-exempt organizations from “intervening in political campaigns and elections,” the congressmen said, “We believe that the faith community has every right to express itself in the political process.”

Spokesman Eric Smith said IRS policy precludes commenting on requests such as the congressmen’s. But Smith cited a report released by the Treasury Department in February that found the IRS had “not

All Saints Rector Edwin Bacon announced Nov. 6 that the church’s tax-exempt status was threatened.

The congregation has received wide support, from evangelicals as well as liberal groups. All Saints expects an IRS decision soon, a church spokesman said.