SASS: Rev. Dr. George F. Regas: Mixing Religion and Politics: A Holy Task

The IRS has gone after All Saints Church, where I served as Rector for 28 years, for a sermon I preached before the 2004 Presidential election. They say this anti-war sermon was political intervention in favor of Senator Kerry. Since I stated I was not endorsing a candidate, this position of the IRS is one which implies the pulpit is not free to speak truth to power, to be critical of positions taken by the administration.

Dr. Regas's talk will address these important issues.

George Regas is the executive director of the Regas Institute and the Convener of Interfaith Communities United for Justice and Peace and Progressive Religious Partnership. He previously served as rector emeritus of All Saints Church in Pasadena, one of the largest Episcopal churches in the United States. The church is currently at the center of a national debate on "politics from the pulpit" due to an ongoing controversial investigation by the IRS as the result of a sermon Regas delivered as a guest speaker on October 31, 2004, just two days before the presidential election.

During his 28 years of service with the church, he established the largest AIDS service center in the San Gabriel Valley; supervised the creation of the Young & Healthy Program, which serves uninsured and under-insured children; and established Union Station, a homeless shelter. Dr. Regas is the co-founder of the Interfaith Center to Reverse the Arms Race and the president of the Coalition for a Non-Violent City.

This event is part of The Caltech Y's Social Activism Speaker Series, which focuses attention on current social and political issues by inviting prominent activists to speak to the Caltech community and the public, and to share their experiences and perspectives.

All Saints Church