POLITICAL ACTIVITY GUIDELINES For Pastors and Parishes

The following guidelines were adopted in consultation with the General Counsel of the United States Catholic Conference and with the diocesan attorneys of the Florida dioceses. The Bishops of Florida have approved them for use by pastors and parishes.

1. Parishes and other church institutions may, and in some cases should, engage in issues-oriented activities and lobbying. As a general rule, the limitations on the extent of such lobbying would not be a problem for parishes or active institutions, since lobbying would be an insubstantial part of their total work. The following are examples of such acceptable activity:

a. Educational efforts about issues and in support of legislation.

b. Encouragement of letter writing campaigns and other contacts with state or federal legislators designed to educate them and to develop support for legislation.

c. Distribution of fliers containing a statement about an issue or issues before the Congress or the Florida legislature, and containing the names and addresses of Senators and Representatives.

d. Preaching and distribution of pertinent information concerning particular issues, especially those affecting human life.

2. Non-partisan registration campaigns and get-out-the-vote campaigns are proper and a recommended activity for parishes and church organizations.

3. Materials prepared for use in educating citizens, including surveys or polls must emphasize educative objectives.

4. Surveys or polls of political candidates may be distributed at churches, or reported in parish bulletins only if:

a. the poll is objectively worded and objectively taken;

b. poll results are accurately reported and free of bias;

c. poll results do not contain discussions of issues;

d. the poll is multi-issue involving various issues such as respect for human life and dignity, the needs of families and justice and peace issues;

e. the validity of the poll has previously been approved by the Florida Catholic Conference or the diocesan attorney; and

f. parish bulletins containing reports of polls should point out that the parish does not endorse or oppose candidates and that the polls are distributed to inform and educate voters.

(Note: Pastors and others should be wary of outside organizations seeking to distribute voter education materials through parishes. The issues covered in outside materials may not address the range of issues of importance to the Church. Moreover, their content, format and presentation may not satisfy IRS regulations applicable to Catholic organizations. Though distribution of these materials elsewhere may have value, they still may not be appropriate for distribution in Catholic parishes. Parishes are discouraged from distributing any materials that are not approved or made available by the diocese or Florida Catholic Conference. Distribution of biased or partisan campaign materials in Church parking lots should not be authorized.)

5. Evaluations of candidates or political parties should be avoided. Types of objectionable evaluations are as follows:

a. encouraging readers or listeners (e.g., a homily) to vote for or against a particular candidate or party;

b. labeling a candidate or party as "pro school choice" or "anti-life"; such a practice removes objectivity by not allowing readers to evaluate a candidate's position themselves;

c. using plus (+) or minus (-) signs or similar markings to evaluate the candidate or party;

d. rating candidates or parties on a scale of "one to ten" for example, or otherwise saying "X is good," "Y is better"; and,

e. the use of marked sample ballots.

6. No diocesan or parish entity or organization shall endorse, oppose or campaign for or against any political party or candidate for public office; nor shall any funds of any such entity or organization be contributed to any political candidate, party, campaign or political action committee. Judicial retention elections are included under these provisions.

(Note: Parishes may sponsor unbiased public forums, debates and lectures in which candidates explain their views to the public but there must be no indication of a bias for or against any candidate, any party, or any position. Those sponsoring candidate forums should endeavor to invite all candidates qualified for election, have questions prepared and presented in non-partisan fashion, cover a broad range of issues, give each candidate an opportunity to present views on issues discussed, and make no comments indicating approval or disapproval of any candidate.)

7. No diocesan or parish entity or organization, or other 501(c)(3) exempt church organization shall engage in voter education communications which directly or indirectly suggest that a particular candidate or party should be supported or opposed.

8. Pastors or other religious leaders are urged to avoid endorsements, contributions, electioneering, or other political activity. Although not prohibited, it may be difficult to separate their personal activity from their role as a representative of the Church.

The above guidelines are based on more extensive directives related to constitutionality and other matters. Questions which arise should be referred to the diocesan attorney or to the Florida Catholic Conference.

PLEASE EMAIL A COPY OF THESE GUIDELINES TO YOUR FAMILY, FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS IN EVERY PARISH IN THE UNITED STATES. ALSO TO EVERY PARISH IN ALL OTHER COUNTRIES ON EARTH. IT IS ONLY THRU OUR CATHOLIC "GRASSROOTS" EFFORTS THAT WE CAN MAKE THIS HAPPEN. REMEMBER IT IS "YOUR CATHOLIC VOICE" .... CULTIVATE YOUR FAITH - ACTIVATE YOUR VOICE.

Contact

Florida Catholic Conference
http://www.flacathconf.org FL, US
Florida Catholic Conference - Public Policy, 850 222-3803

Email

flacathconf@flacathconf.org

Keywords

Political, Politics, Florida, Catholic, Pastors, Parishes

More Catholic PRWire

Showing 1 - 50 of 4,716

• « Prev
• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5
• 6
• 7
• 8
• 9
• Next »

A Recession Antidote
Randy Hain

Monaco & The Vatican: Monaco's Grace Kelly Exhibit to Rome--A Review of Monegasque-Holy See Diplomatic History
Dna. Maria St. Catherine Sharpe, t.o.s.m., T.O.SS.T.

The Why of Jesus' Death: A Pauline Perspective
Jerom Paul

A Royal Betrayal: Catholic Monaco Liberalizes Abortion
Dna. Maria St.Catherine De Grace Sharpe, t.o.s.m., T.O.SS.T.

Embrace every moment as sacred time
Mary Regina Morrell

My Dad
JoMarie Grinkiewicz

Letting go is simple wisdom with divine potential
Mary Regina Morrell

Father Lombardi's Address on Catholic Media
Catholic Online

Pope's Words to Pontifical Latin American College
Catholic Online

Prelate: Genetics Needs a Conscience
Catholic Online

State Aid for Catholic Schools: Help or Hindrance?
Catholic Online

Scorsese Planning Movie on Japanese Martyrs
Catholic Online

2 Nuns Kidnapped in Kenya Set Free
Catholic Online

Holy See-Israel Negotiation Moves Forward
Catholic Online

Franchising to Evangelize
Catholic Online

Catholics Decry Anti-Christianity in Israel
Catholic Online

Pope and Gordon Brown Meet About Development Aid
Catholic Online

Pontiff Backs Latin America's Continental Mission
Catholic Online

Cardinal Warns Against Anti-Catholic Education
Catholic Online

Full Circle
Robert Gieb

Three words to a deeper faith
Paul Sposite

Relections for Lent 2009
chris anthony

Wisdom lies beyond the surface of life
Mary Regina Morrell

World Food Program Director on Lent
Catholic Online

Moral Clarity
DAN SHEA

Pope's Lenten Message for 2009
Catholic Online

A Prayer for Monaco: Remembering the Faith Legacy of Prince Rainier III & Princess Grace and Contemplating the Moral Challenges of Prince Albert II
Dna. Maria St. Catherine Sharpe

Keeping a Lid on Permissiveness
Sally Connolly

Glimpse of Me
Sarah Reinhard

The 3 stages of life
Michele Szekely

Sex and the Married Woman
Cheryl Dickow

A Catholic Woman Returns to the Church
Cheryl Dickow

Modernity & Morality
Dan Shea

Just a Minute
Sarah Reinhard

Catholic identity ... triumphant reemergence!
Hugh McNichol

Edging God Out
Paul Sposite

Burying a St. Joseph Statue
Cheryl Dickow

George Bush Speaks on Papal Visit
Catholic Online

Sometimes moving forward means moving the canoe
Mary Regina Morrell

Action Changes Things: Teaching our Kids about Community Service
Lisa Hendey

Easter... A Way of Life
Paul Spoisite

Papal initiative...peace and harmony!
Hugh McNichol

Proclaim the mysteries of the Resurrection!
Hugh McNichol

Jerusalem Patriarch's Easter Message
Catholic Online

Good Friday Sermon of Father Cantalamessa
Catholic Online

Papal Address at the End of the Way of the Cross
Catholic Online

Cardinal Zen's Meditations for Via Crucis
Catholic Online

Interview With Vatican Aide on Jewish-Catholic Relations
Catholic Online

Pope Benedict XVI On the Easter Triduum
Catholic Online

Holy Saturday...anticipation!
Hugh McNichol

• « Prev
• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5
• 6
• 7
• 8
• 9
• Next »