Exemption utilized to get tax-payer money.
Following the release of federal data regarding the recipients of COVID-19 relief aid, analysis has found that over $1.4 billion had been awarded to Catholic dioceses around the nation. Though a global religious organization, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and others lobbied for an exemption to the “affiliation rule” for faith groups and other nonprofits.
Under the federal waiver to the 500 employee cap, Catholic churches, schools, and other organizations applied as small, independent entites to receive funds from the Paycheck Protection Program.
Over 3,500 forgivable loans were handed out to various branches of the Catholic church. Currently, information on recipients of loans less than $150,000 has not been released to the public, likely increasing the total amount the Catholic church received.
As the Lord Leads, Pray with Us…
- For the Trump Administration to work to assure that the First Amendment is protected.
- That Congress would work hard to provide public information about recipients of federal loans.
- That God would help the nation heal from the effects of COVID-19
Sources: AP, The Hill, The Chicago Tribune
