Political Guidelines: Guidelines on Lobbying and Electoral Politics for Pastors and Parishes
The Catholic Bishops of Michigan often speak to issues that are both moral and political, but their attention is always directed to the issues, not to political parties or candidates. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops addresses this point:
“As bishops, we do not seek the formation of a religious voting bloc, nor do we wish to instruct persons on how they should vote by endorsing or opposing candidates. We hope that voters will examine the position of candidates on the full range of issues, as well as on their personal integrity, philosophy, and performance. We are convinced that a consistent ethic of life should be the moral framework from which to address all issues in the political arena. We urge our fellow citizens to see beyond party politics, to analyze campaign rhetoric critically, and to choose their political leaders according to principle, not simply party affiliation or mere self-interest.”
Faithful Citizenship
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
September 2003
The consistent ethic of life demands a concern for all the weak and vulnerable members of our society throughout all phases of life—the unborn, the disabled, the homeless, the poor and the frail elderly. People in the Church are involved in many issues such as education, capital punishment, housing, health care reform, abortion, immigration, agriculture, criminal justice, social welfare, criminal justice and welfare reform. This activity should be encouraged, but it is important to observe the limits for tax-exempt institutions and organizations set by federal law.
The following guidelines have been developed in consultation with the Office of the General Counsel at the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and the diocesan attorneys of the Michigan dioceses, and approved by the Michigan Catholic Conference Board of Directors.
- Parishes and other institutions may, and in some cases should, engage in issue-oriented activities and lobbying. In most cases, 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:
- Educational efforts about issues and in support of legislation.
- Encouragement of letter writing campaigns and other contacts with state and federal legislators designed to educate them and to develop support for legislation.
- Distribution of fliers containing a statement about an issue or issues before the Congress or Michigan Legislature, and containing the names and addresses of senators and representatives.
- Preaching and distributing of pertinent information concerning particular issues, especially those affecting human life.
Example 1: Father N is the pastor of Parish B. During Mass shortly before an election Fr. N preached on a number of issues, including the importance of voting in the upcoming election, and concludes by stating: “It is important that you all do your duty in the election and vote for the candidate whom consistently protects the dignity of the human person and the sanctity of Life.” Since Fr. N's remarks indicate support for an issue and not a candidate, they do not constitute political campaign intervention attributable to Parish B.
- Non-partisan registration campaigns and get-out-the-vote campaigns are proper and a recommended activity for parishes and church organizations.
- Materials prepared for use in educating citizens, including surveys or polls as described in the following paragraphs, must emphasize educational objectives.
- Surveys or polls of political candidates may be distributed at churches, or reported in parish bulletins only if:
- The validity of the poll has previously been approved by the Michigan Catholic Conference, the diocesan attorney or the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops;
- The poll is objectively worded and objectively taken;
- The poll is multi-issue, involving various relevant topics;
- Poll results are accurately reported and free of bias;
- Poll results do not contain discussion of issues.
- Evaluations of candidates or political parties should be avoided. Types of objectionable evaluations are as follows:
- Encouraging readers or listeners, e.g., a homily, to vote for against a particular candidate or party;
- Labeling a candidate “pro-school aid” or “anti-life” (such a practice removes objectivity by not allowing readers to evaluate a candidate's position themselves);
- Using plus (+) or minus (-) signs to evaluate the candidate or party. Rating candidates or parties on a scale of 1 to 10 for example, or otherwise saying “Candidate X is good, but Y is better”;
- The use of marked sample ballots.
Example 2: Parish C distributes a voter guide prior to elections. The voter guide consists of a brief statement from the candidates on each issue made in response to a questionnaire sent to all candidates for a certain office. The issues on the questionnaire cover a wide variety of topics and were selected by Parish C based solely on their importance and interest to the electorate as a whole. Neither the questionnaire nor the voter guide, through their contents or structure, indicates a bias or preference for any candidate of group of candidates. Parish C is not participating or intervening in a political campaign.
- 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, campaign, party or political action committee.
- Pastors or other religious leaders are urged to avoid endorsements, contributions, electioneering or other political activities. Although not prohibited, it may be difficult to separate their activities as an individual from their roles as a representative of the Church.
- No diocesan or parish entity or organization, or other 501 (c)(3) tax-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.
Example 3: Father N is a priest at Parish M. The Sunday before the November election, Fr. N. invited Candidate X to preach during Mass. During his remarks, Candidate X stated, “I am asking not only for your votes, but for your enthusiasm and your dedication, for your willingness to go the extra mile to get a large turnout this Tuesday.” Fr. N invited no other candidate to address the parish during the campaign. Because these activities took place during official Church services, they are attributed to Parish M. By selectively providing Church facilities to allow Candidate X to speak in support of his campaign, Parish M's actions constitute political campaign intervention.
The above-mentioned points are based on extensive guidelines, which relate to diocesan newspapers, problems of constitutionality and related matters. Questions that might arise should be referred to the Michigan Catholic Conference. “Political Activity Guidelines for Catholic Organizations,” published by the United State Conference of Catholic Bishops, is available here.
