American Atheists, Inc.
P O Box 140195
Austin, Texas 78714-0195
(512) 458-1244
http://www.atheists.org


                           PRESS RELEASE

For immediate release:
January 20, 1997

                    ATHEISTS WARN CATHOLIC CHURCH
                    OVER POSSIBLE IRS VIOLATIONS

    The Roman Catholic Church in Hawaii may be violating its tax-exempt
status by mobilizing its parishioners to lobby state legislators against
same-sex marriages, American Atheists charged today.
    A Church-organized rally at the State Capitol slated for Friday, January
24, was promoted in a letter in the regional Catholic newspaper by the
Bishop of Honolulu, Francis X. DiLorenzo.  Mitch Kahle, Hawaii State
Director of American Atheists, wrote to DiLorenzo and IRS District Director
Donald Williams warning that the official church letter calls upon its
members to support specific legislative proposals - a violation of IRS
tax-exemption rules.
    In his appeal, "From the Bishop's Office," DiLorenzo writes, "I will be
there with tousands of other fellow citizens to rally in favor of marriage
and against 'same-sex marriage.'  If you cannot attend the rally, please
call, write, or fax your legislator that same day to let them know that you
want justice for marriage."
    The Hawaii case is part of a larger pattern of violations being carried
out by religious groups across the country according to Ms. Ellen Johnson,
President of American Atheists.  "The 1996 election was filled with
questionable activities by religious groups ranging from the Christian
Coalition to Buddhist sects in California," noted Ms. Johnson.  She added
that American Atheists also learned last week that Catholic officials in
North Dakota are actively drafting proposed legislation which would ban
same-sex marriages in that state.
    "All of this violates the intent of state-church separation," said
Ms. Johnson.  "And it is part of a larger religious effort to further
stigmatize gay men and women by denying them equal recognition and protection
under the law."

For further information please contact:

Ms. Ellen Johnson, President     or     Mr. Mitch Kahle
(201) 334-4033                          (808) 239-1188
email: ej@atheists.org                  email: mkahle@atheists.org