To a congregation that frequently interrupted him with enthusiastic applause, Fr. Kemberling reminded: "It was the power of the pulpit that forged the Declaration of Independence and eventually it was the power of the pulpit that would forge the Constitution of the United States."
Contrary to what the supporters of the so-called "separation of church and state" want us to believe, this is "the reality of the founding of the country that has been hidden from us," Father said.
He went on to reference the latest scandals involving the IRS' targeting conservative groups, and asked, "The IRS has been targeting religious groups for the last 59 years; is it any surprise they're targeting political groups? But nobody is asking the obvious question - there's certainly suspicion that somebody has used the IRS to win elections . . . . If that's true, that's wrong and something needs to be done about it - NOW!"
The congregation responded with enthusiastic applause.
He condemned IRS officials for refusing to answer questions during hearings in the U.S. House of Representatives, saying that the refusal to answer questions was morally a lie.
To those who say he shouldn't talk politics from the pulpit for fear of losing his tax exempt status, Fr. Kemberling gives a defiant answer.
"Yes I should!," he says. "Yes I should! It is the heritage of our country. And it has lured not only myself but the populace to believe that the separation of church and state means I can't talk politically. Folks, its the other way around! The government cannot interfere with our religious practice, such as this law that has silenced us for 59 years and now a government that wants to take away our religious freedom in our health care decisions. I am here to say that has to end!" he said, and received another loud round of applause.
"We in the power of the pulpit who preach about the power of life and death are here to reclaim the very values our country was founded upon and I ask everyone to join us in that fight. Help support us from the pulpit!"
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