Catholics protest at State Capitol

Hartford (WTNH) - The

State Capitol

Police estimate there were 5,000 visitors to the State Capitol Complex, Wednesday. Many rallied outside to hear church leaders denounce a recent proposal; the proposal would change the existing

Religious Corporations Law

.

"We're facing currently a one billion dollar deficit in state government and it's supposed to expand, exponentially, in the coming years and they would tell us how to run our Catholic institutions," said Archbishop of Hartford Henry Mansell.

With that barb at the legislature, the Arch Bishop made a very clear point. And, the thousands of Catholics from all around the state, who came to rally, ate it up.

Part of the anger, from the Catholic clergy, is that issues that concern the church have always been written in consultation with church leaders.

"This bill was written secret and rushed before a committee without even the courtesy, without even the courtesy of a call to any of Connecticut's Catholic Bishops," said Carl Anderson, Supreme Knight of the Knights of Columbus.

"We think this should just stop," said Archbishop Mansell. "Leave our religious freedom alone, leave the current statute alone, it serves us well.

It was a sentiment echoed by just about everyone.

"We have governed ourselves as a church for almost 2,000 years and we don't need their input because our church is running more smoothly than the state is," said Roberta Ryan, of North Branford.

"I want to say that we have a right to practice what we want and they don't have a right to take that away from us," said Nicole Roberts, of Norwalk.

The Legislative Office Building was also packed all day as an informational hearing on the issue spilled out into six hearing rooms.

The State Capitol Police have confirmed that they are investigating an e-mailed threat of physical harm made against Judiciary Committee co-chairmen Senator Andrew McDonald and Representative Mike Lawlor; they were not present at the capitol, Wednesday.

"We would be violently opposed to any threat of physical harm," said Archbishop Mansell. "We call for civility and responsibility in all discussions and everybody."

McDonald issued a statement late Wednesday afternoon. The statement said, "It was never my intent to offend anyone of faith. My only goal was to try my best to represent the concerns of my constituents, some of whom were the victims of fraud."

The Governor also issued a statement, Wednesday, calling the proposal "blatantly unconstitutional, insensitive and inappropriate."