From: Interfaith Working Group Subject: IWG Philadelphia Daily News Church/State Date: Wed, 9 Dec 1998 23:24:57 -0500 (EST) December 5, 1998 Philadelphia Daily News PO Box 7788 Phila., PA 19101 Dear Editors: In William Bunch's December 4 column he quotes Guy Ciarrocchi, who said the Archdiocese needs to educate voters so the Church won't have to lobby a City Council that was elected by other people. However, that's exactly the way the system is supposed to work. The voters elect the candidates, not the Archdiocese. As a tax-exempt religious organization, the Archdiocese cannot campaign for or against candidates. The Church can't legally tell voters who to vote for, and even if they could, Ciarrocchi seems to forget that the voters don't have to listen. Sincerely, Barbara Purdom Christopher Purdom Interfaith Working Group Coordinators The above letter went out on IWG letterhead listing 16 congregations and organizations and 60 clergy from 15 religious traditions. If you are in the general Philadelphia area and represent a congregation or religious organization or are clergy, let us know if you want to be added - all faiths are welcome. We will also be happy to help start similar organizations in other areas. -- Interfaith Working Group Religious organizations, congregations iwg@libertynet.org and clergy supporting gay rights, http://www.libertynet.org/iwg/ reproductive freedom, and the 215-235-3050 separation of church and state.