Lobbyist Unretires To Help Catholic Diocese

Idaho’s Catholic diocese never had a lobbyist until Tim Brennan came along.

Brennan retired two years ago after 38 years as lobbyist for the Idaho Retailers Association. He decided to turn his decades of experience and contacts into a church asset.

Now, as the church’s official lobbyist, he’s active in pushing for anti-abortion legislation, private school tax credits and medical care for the poor.

“I’ve spent my life in the game of government relations and politics and legislation,” Brennan said, leaning against the marbled bannister of the Capitol rotunda. “I’m known in the field.

“I feel working with the Catholic Church, I can accomplish some truly important social justice.”

This year, Brennan has worked closely with other religious lobbyists, including those from the Idaho Family Forum and the Idaho Christian Coalition.

Dennis Mansfield, director of the Family Forum, a conservative Christian group, credits Brennan with bringing his group’s lobbyists to a new level of professionalism and effectiveness.

“He literally took us from third grade to senior in college,” Mansfield said, making Brennan duck his head in embarrassment. “He’s helped us more than I can ever explain.”

Brennan, a father of 10 with a toothy smile, tries not to take all the credit.

“The religious groups coming together - it’s happening all over the nation,” he said. “I’ve heard two priests talk about the significance of Promise Keepers on the altar.”

Promise Keepers is a Christian men’s renewal movement backed by evangelical Christians, including Mansfield’s organization.

Jim Bowen, chancellor of the Catholic Diocese of Idaho, said the diocese was glad to get a chance to hire Brennan. The church commonly has lobbyists in many state legislatures, but the Idaho diocese just never had the time or money.

“What we did before was that the bishop would call various legislators,” said Bowen, who’s the third in command at the diocese. “It does cost money, and it was not as important as it is now.”

Abortion and education issues are high on the church’s agenda, Bowen said. “Tim happened at the right time and the right place.”

Brennan spoke out strongly at a House State Affairs Committee hearing earlier this year on anti-abortion legislation. “I was raised rigidly … that life begins at conception,” he testified. “The termination to a pregnancy should be birth of that child, that human being.”

Brennan served briefly in the Legislature as a Democrat. That was 41 years ago.

These days, he’s keeping an eye out for legislation on things like same-sex marriage and assisted suicide, both of which the church opposes.

“Much of this work is spiritual and extremely rewarding,” Brennan said.”I say that from my heart.

“I truly feel like I’ve been blessed to be able to use my expertise over the years for something I really feel will benefit the people of Idaho.”

, DataTimes