Americans United for the Separation of Church and State (AU) have asked the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to investigate the Roman Catholic Diocese of Providence, R.I., because of an article written by Bishop Thomas Tobin criticizing Republican presidential candidate Rudy Giuliani for his position on abortion. The article appeared in the diocese's official publication and said he would never support a candidate who supports legalized abortion. The IRS's recent Revenue Ruling 2007-41 states that in order for an organization "to remain tax exempt under section 501(c)(3), leaders cannot make partisan comments in official organization publications or at official functions of the organization."

Religious oriented nonprofits and churches are sure to take heed of the similar headlines appearing in the press, such as, "Religion, politics go hand-in-hand in '08 race,". In light of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Political Activities Compliance Initiate (PACI) and its latest report on the 2006 cases, many groups may feel pulled in opposite directions. A ban on political activity by charities and churches becomes compounded when presidential candidates increasingly open up about their faith as a matter of importance to the public, and as a tool that guides them on views on policy and government.

The evangelical group Sojourners sponsored a candidate forum Faith, Values, and Poverty where candidates John Edwards, and Senators Hillary Clinton (D-NY) and Barack Obama (D-IL) spoke of their personal faith. The New York Times covered this event and how it has now become crucial for candidates to discuss faith and reach out to religious communities. "Democratic Sens. Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama have hired strategists to focus on reaching religious voters. Obama's campaign holds a weekly conference call with key supporters in early primary and caucus states whose role is to spread the candidate's message to religious leaders and opinionmakers and report their concerns to the campaign."

The Wichita Eagle reports that the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has asked Pastor Mark Holick of Spirit One Christian Center in Wichita Kansas to answer thirty one questions about political activities at the church. The questionable activities include the pastor distributing voter guides and messages on the church's marquee critical of candidates and their position on abortion. Holick has scheduled a news conference today at the church to discuss the issue. The IRS wanted to know whether or not the former Kansas Attorney General Phill Kline spoke at the church and if his campaign asked for the church's support. Holick reportedly answered no. In October, the IRS was asked to investigate churches for possible involvement in helping with Kline's re-election campaign. Holick was also questioned about his involvement with Kansans for Life, and in passing out voter guides in front of a Wichita church.

But Holick said he won't stop speaking out on issues such as abortion, even if it means naming politicians. "It's a clear violation of the First Amendment, the free exercise of religion, the free exercise of speech," said Holick, one of the most outspoken abortion opponents in the Wichita area.

In related news, the Washington Post reports that Americans United for Separation of Church and State (AU) wants the IRS to revoke the 501(c)(3) status of Bill Keller Ministries because of the statements he made about Mitt Romney. Keller has a call-in show on a Tampa television station and a Web site called Liveprayer.com. On May 11, Keller claims that he was making a spiritual statement when he warned listeners; "if you vote for Mitt Romney, you are voting for Satan!"