Ed Bacon: Political But Not Partisan

In 2005, the IRS launched an investigation of a sermon preached at All Saints Episcopal Church in Pasadena, California prior to the 2004 presidential election. The sermon criticized the Iraq war and was structured as a debate between John Kerry and George W. Bush, moderated by Jesus. In September 2007, the IRS closed its investigation. It determined that the sermon was a one-time political campaign intervention, but it did not revoke the church's tax-exempt status. All Saints demanded a clarification and an apology, but so far the IRS has not responded. In this interview, All Saints Rector Ed Bacon says churches must speak out on political issues, even if that can be polarizing.