Not helping the poor, suffering, exploited, or oppressed

The law permitting gay marriage in Maine will be challenged at the voting booth this November. Anti-gay organizations (with nearly no contributions from Maine citizens) were able to gather enough signatures to force the ballot.

The donor of the second largest amount was the Catholic diocese of Portland. The 4th largest amount came from Knights of Columbus. The Catholic Church in Maine must have lots of extra cash, right? Nope, they're closing schools and selling churches. Perhaps they're getting lots of donations from their members. No, again. Local newspapers have lots of letters from members who are furious over bishops using money to promote state-sponsored discrimination. The donations even cut into the church's stated mission of caring for the poor, the suffering, the exploited, and the oppressed.