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IRS "Preacher Police" Retreat Welcomed
The IRS “Preacher Police” have retreated from their investigation of All Saints Episcopal Church in Pasadena, California. In a letter closing the investigation, the IRS ended the investigation of All Saints it began in 2007. Instead of taking the IRS’ threats at face value, All Saints fought back, refusing to comply with an IRS subpoena and forcing the IRS to justify its investigation. The IRS backed down, never attempting to enforce the subpoena, and leaving All Saints’ tax-exempt status unscathed.
“This retreat shows what an empty threat IRS sermon investigations are,” said Kevin “Seamus” Hasson, President of The Becket Fund. “When it comes to preaching from the pulpit, the IRS speaks loudly, but actually carries a pretty small stick.”
In the over 50 years the statute has been in existence, the IRS has prosecuted only one case involving church “intervention” in a political campaign. That 1992 case involved a full-page advertisement in national newspapers, rather than core religious speech—like sermons—that are protected under the First Amendment.
“Ministers preaching truth to power helped start the American Revolution, stop slavery, and end racial segregation,” said Hasson. “We applaud All Saints for continuing this tradition, and having the backbone to face down the IRS.”