The following “Guidelines for Pastors and Parishes on Advocacy and Political Action,” dated September 2011, was distributed this fall by the California Catholic Conference in Sacramento.
1.) Individual citizens are free to fully engage in partisan politics. The Church encourages all citizens to vote. In light of that, the Church urges voters to examine the positions of candidates for public office on the full range of issues, as well as on their personal integrity and performance.
Religious leaders, however, should avoid taking positions on candidates or participating in political party matters even when acting in their individual capacity. Although not prohibited, it may be difficult to separate their personal activity from their public role as a Church leader.
2.) Unlike individuals, Churches and other institutions, which qualify for tax-exempt status under the Internal Revenue Code, may in no way engage in partisan politics such as supporting or opposing individual candidates for office.
That means that no diocesan or parish entity or organization or other 501 (c) (3) exempt Church organization should engage in voter education which directly or indirectly suggests that a particular candidate or party should be supported or opposed. That also means that no one candidate should be invited to a parish function during an election campaign, unless all candidates for that office are invited.
Advocacy on “issues” is not a partisan activity. Therefore, Church organizations may take positions on public policies such as proposed legislation and ballot initiatives which can be referendums, constitutional amendments or changes to statutes.
3.) Parishes and other Church organizations should, in some cases, engage in issue-oriented activities and political action.
The local diocesan attorney should be consulted for local guidelines but limitations on the extent of such political action and advocacy are not generally a problem for parishes or active institutions, since that activity would be an insubstantial part of their total work.
The following are examples of such acceptable activity:
– Conducting meetings and gatherings designed to share the Catholic Church’s teaching regarding the moral and ethical dimensions of public-policy issues and/or legislation.
– Preaching to parishioners about the sanctity and dignity of human life and exhorting them to “faithful citizenship.”
– Organizing participation in Catholic Lobby Day and/or diocesan-sponsored issue- oriented events.
– Distributing fliers containing both a statement about issues before the Congress, the California Legislature or local government and the names and addresses of elected representatives.
– Encouraging individuals to contact their state or federal legislators in order to educate them and to develop support/ opposition for legislation.
The following types of activities may be conducted with appropriate advice from the California Catholic Conference or from the (arch) diocese.
– Urging parishioners to register, to vote and to participate actively in Church- sponsored “get-out-the-vote” drives and other nonpartisan voter-education initiatives.
– Sponsoring multi-issue candidate forums to which all candidates for a particular office are invited.
– Conducting single-issue forums which present both sides of the issue objectively.
4.) No (arch) diocesanor parish entity or organization may endorse, oppose or evaluate any political party or candidate for public office. No such organization can contribute in any way to a political candidate, party, campaign or political action committee. Church property or personnel should not be used in campaign ads.
The following are examples of activities which are not allowed:
– Urging readers or listeners to vote for or against a particular candidate or party;
– Labeling a candidate or party as “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 a candidate or party;
– Rating candidates or parties on a scale of“1 to 10” for example, or otherwise saying “X is good,” “Y is better”;
– The use of marked sample ballots.
5.) Although Churches have no jurisdiction over public sidewalks and other public property in their vicinities, Church parking is private property and the general public has no right to distribute partisan materials thereon. This may be difficult to control, but parish leaders should nevertheless deny permission for any such activity.
6.) The California Catholic Conference staff reviews all of the statewide ballot initiatives and referenda. The bishops, after appropriate consultation, may choose—either individually or as a conference—to support, oppose or take no position on each measure.
When neither the California Catholic Conference nor the (arch) diocese has taken a public position on a specific measure, a parish or Catholic organization should not do so with- out previous consultation with the bishop.
Granting the use of Church facilities to supporting or opposing groups should rarely be allowed. Only with the specific permission of the diocesan bishop and the local pastor should Church facilities be used for signature gathering to place an initiative on the ballot.
All public policy materials distributed in parishes must be prepared by the (arch) diocese, the California Catholic Conference (CCC) or the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB).
CALIFORNIA CATHOLIC CONFERENCE
1119 K Street, 2nd Floor Sacramento, CA 95814
916.313.4000 www.cacatholic.org
Where do these “guidelines” leave the Knights of Columbus, I wonder. There are two guidelines in specific that I have in mind, namely:
“No diocesan or parish entity or organization or other 501 (c) (3) exempt Church organization should engage in voter education which directly or indirectly suggests that a particular candidate or party should be supported or opposed;” and “No (arch) diocesan or parish entity or organization may endorse, oppose or evaluate any political party or candidate for public office.”
Hurray and Congratulations to the California Catholic Conference and the Catholic bishops of California, for the great work they are doing this election cycle in protecting the Faith and protecting Catholic teaching on the relevant issues. They are keeping both so well concealed that the enemy has no chance of ever finding them!
I like your sense of humor Harry. it is sad the California Bishops are doing their best to keep the faithful ignorant and like a good liberal politician, recycle the old scary news “protect the non-profit status”.
We can see thru their political leanings with these instructions. it is like those who do not want voter ID laws, you wonder why? we know why. Same here. We know why they are sending this.
In other words, it is better to please man (politicians including Judges) than to please Almighty God.
That is not the Catholic Faith I believe in!
Just more crap from the so called California Catholic Conference. The same organization that has often given awards to pro-abortion, pro-sodomite “Catholic” politicians.
May God have mercy on America, especially its errant Hierarchy.
God bless, yours in Their Hearts,
Kenneth M. Fisher
The Communist government in Poland a few decades ago forced silence in another way, but Blessed John Paul II broke free and set God’s people free as well … by tossing the “shut up” rules in the garbage where they need to go. These marxist bishops are always manipulating the words and deeds of Bl JP2 for their own cowardly affairs and aims; it is a form of bearing false witness against their neighbor, a mortal sin. But why would they notice such a mortal sin when they are fine with selling unborn babies to butcher markets in return for gov’t approval and the money that goes with it?
Jesus wept
2.) Unlike individuals, Churches and other institutions, which qualify for tax-exempt status under the Internal Revenue Code, may in no way engage in partisan politics such as supporting or opposing individual candidates for office
I thought churches were specifically exempted from this LBJ tax code
amendment. Look up the tax code!!!!!!
Many Protestant clergy are testing this tax code amendment.
The Catholic Bishops should get some new CPA’s.
Larry from R.I.,
Thanks be to God and His Mother, some priests and maybe even a few Bishops are challenging this as well. I know Fr. Pavone is.
God bless, yours in Their Hearts,
Kenneth M. Fisher
I’m not quite sure I understand the title of your headline “Six ways for the Church not to protect the unborn”. Number one states that all voters should now each candidate’s position on issues before they vote.
What would you add or change to the guidelines to better protect the unborn? Perhaps a kind and thoughtful suggestion can be made to the CCC. Perhaps they can provide better clarification or additional examples. It’s worth a try.
Simply state that no Catholic can in good conscience vote for a candidate who openly promotes elective abortion or any of the “non-negotiable” evils, any more than he/she could vote for a candidate who promotes slavery or segregation. That, after all, is what the Church teaches, although it is obscured by the confusing language of “Faithful Citizenship”. Also any organization representing the Catholic Church should be eagerly promoting and outlining what Catholics CAN DO in these circumstances to promote respect for human life and religious freedom. The CCC seems so preoccupied with what CANNOT be done that it effectively disarms those pro life Catholics who take its guidelines seriously. I won’t assert, as some do, that the CCC is doing this deliberately because they tacitly support pro-abortion candidates. But the guidelines they put forth fuel that suspicion, and they should take action to dispel it.
CA Bishops should clearly and simply state the following:
” 1) All Catholic citizens must vote.
2) ABORTION, EUTHANASIA, HOMO-SEXUAL MARRIAGE, and being against FREEDOM of RELIGION are INTRINSIC EVILS.
3) No Catholic may vote for politicians who support intrinsic evils.
4) If both candidates support intrinsic evils, vote for the candidate that is most likely to do the least harm. ”
This is not rocket science.
I guess the “tongues of fire visited on the 12 apostles in the beginning of christianity to preach to all” does not mean anyting to this crop of church leaders. Clint Easrwood said, If they don’t do the job, you got to let them go.”
I think (bishops) should be forced into early retirement if they don’t do the job.
Bishops can be replaced per the Code of Canon Law.
But it is up to the Faithful in that Diocese to report:
incompetancy,
neglect of duty,
or scandal
to the US Papal Nuncio in Washington, DC and to the Vatican.
“role as a church leader”: “role”??? I thought being a priest is a totality, but the Conference of bishops calls it a role. I guess they put on their make up each morning and assume their role for the day. No wonder they sometimes are referred to as the “painted lady”, which is a slur when referring to the real Church, but merely a descriptive phrase when referring to those who play roles of church leaders.
This is just another example of how convuluted our Catholic church is. The Church cannot speak out because it wants to save MONEY. We have 50 million abortion murders because the Church was not able to speak out because it wanted to save money!!!!! Forget being tax exempt and do what is Christ’s teaching.
There you have it. The number one priority is the protection of the tax exemption. What a bunch of gutless wonders we have for leaders and defenders of the faith. Now we know what they want to defend as their first priority.
If a pastor preaches against a candidate or for another, the IRS will not pull anyone’s tax exemption. Even the threat to do so violates the First Amendment, and they know it. Some pastors, such as one Wesleyan Church pastor, are not only preaching against Obama, they are taping the homily and sending it to the IRS, daring them to deny the tax exemption. Our leaders haven’t the convictions they claim, or they would join the Protestant pastors who show they actually believe what they say they believe. I am ashamed of the Catholic bishops.
I wonder how Priests for Life feel about this edict? Thank goodness they are not under the control of CCC.
Sandra,
See my above comment and you will know where the much maligned Fr. Pavone stands on this. I am certain that he has joined the Protestant leaders in this!
God bless, yours in Their Hearts,
Kenneth M. Fisher
At least the clergy can still “form” and teach those around them from the pulpit that abortion, same-sex marriage, euthanasia, embryonic stem cell research, fornication, drunkedness, etc etc is evil and should not be supported in any way?????????? Or is there another “gag” order that I missed from the CCC. Oh Lord, please untie your shepherds! Remove their blindfolds before they find themselves gaged, blindfolded and imprisoned by the government they support.
Archbishop Chaput of Philadelphia has written: The Democrat Party in the United States is no longer a secular party but instead is a profane party.”
Good thing he isn’t in California, Bishop Blaire might have to straighten him out.
These guidelines have the makings of a powerful new book… one similar to Saul Alinsky’s “Rules for Radicals.”
“Rules for Moral Cowards.”
501(c)(3) tax-exempt organizations are subject to very specific rules – and very harsh penalties – with respect to both lobbying and political activity. Lobbying is permitted, but only in specific circumstances. Political activity is never permitted.
Nonprofits that are involved in advocacy and lobbying (or desire to engage in such activities) should investigate making an election under Section 501(h) of the Internal Revenue Code. This election permits a certain amount of lobbying expenditures with no loss of tax-exempt status. It is a simple and clear quantitative test of how much may be spent on such activities on an annual basis.
This election relates to an organization’s federal income tax status as a tax-exempt organization. Lobbying activities may also give rise to registration and reporting requirements under state and local law.
Many 501(c)(3) organizations have made this election and, therefore, engage in lobbying activities up to the permissible annual expenditure limits and those who do not are arguably at a disadvantage.
let the tax exemptions go! The more we bow before the almight dollar and government, the more they regulate what we can teach, preach, do and vote. It can’t get much worse in most parishes…we are already broke! We won’t be showing any profits to tax!
when the true faith rises again, Catholics will fill the pews and fill the collection baskets…we don’t need the govt. telling us how ot be Catholic.
Christ said His Church will prevail! Where is our faith that the Good Lord will provied?
The time is now, before it become illegal to speak against abortion, gay marriage, euthanasia and other moral atrocities.
Re the instruction in #3, “Conducting single-issue forums which present both sides of the issue objectively”: Do our bishops mean they want parishes to host pro-abortion and anti-marriage representatives alongside pro-life, pro-marriage ones?
In the bishops’ #4, they ban, “Labeling a candidate or party as “pro- school aid” or “anti-life”; such a practice removes objectivity by not allowing readers to evaluate a candidate’s position themselves.” Does this mean we can’t quote the Democrat platform’s bloodthirsty, 100% endorsement of aborting babies? After all, the Democrats would be happy to have their own platform quoted, wouldn’t they?
DUO – Great point! #4 really is a bunch of garbage. Why? In the state where I live the conference of bishops has put out a questionnaire of about 15 questions which is directed to the candidates of both parties, congressional, senate, etc. All the questions are related to Catholic teaching in some form or another. I have seen many of these surveys over the years and most Republican candidates will answer the survey and NO democrats will respond. The democrats know this is a survey geared towards Catholics and therefore they do not want the ignorant pew potatoes to know where they stand on the issues Catholics should care about. Obviously if a candidate answers the questions you would know if they were “pro- school aid” or “anti-life”. For the Cal Cath Conf to publish #4 is very dishonest as &#%@!
Bishops do have the responsibility to protect the property they own – which includes all Church properties within their Diocese.
‘Priests for LIfe’ a 501c oganization has the IRS rules down pat – including with appropriate legal advise.
” Some people try to be more Catholic than the Pope, and more tax-observant than the IRS. But it would be nice if such people would avoid imposing their overly-restrictive mentality on the rest of us. ” Fr. Frank Pavone.
On the net – go to: “PRIESTS for LIFE
then on their site search – ” Political Action Center 2012 ”
You can also search their site for IRS info.
If Catholics really knew thier Faith as taught by our new Catholic Catechism there would be no need for the Bishops to say anything political.There should be a concerted effort made by the Bishops to make sure the Catholic Faith in it,s entirety is taught in the Catholic schools and CCD programs. All would then know it is wrong to cooperate in any way with abortion ,euthanasia ,embryonic stem cell research , etc.Bonnie de Rutte
“Well done, good and faithful bishops! You have stood firm in protecting your tax-exempt status! There is absolutely no chance that you will risk martyrdom for the Faith and very little chance that you will inform the consciences of the Faithful in any morally meaningful way.”
The most telling words are those in item #3 that direct the Catholic activist to check first with the diocesan attorneys!!!!!
I have been active in Catholic efforts and pro-life work for over 35 years in California and NEVER have I met a diocesan attorney who works to promote the Faith.
In fact, ask Life Legal Defense foundation how many diocesan attorneys belong to their legal team.
Same-old, same-old. The first pro life meetings held in the diocese always had an attorney or two to tell us to be very careful that we said or did nothing to compromise that sacrosanct tax exemption, the one the bishops have traded for 58 million dead babies.
I just read the following on another website: *** “Meanwhile, the bishops have sent plenty of mixed signals to Catholics about the race. Bishop Stephen Blaire, who heads up the US bishops’ “social justice” office, has fired off multiple letters to Paul Ryan, upbraiding him for his supposedly un-Christian budgetary plans. Blaire also felt that the bishops hit Obama too hard on the HHS mandate, fretting that their resistance could contribute to an “anti-Obama campaign.” *** Sounds like another example of how dishonest #4 is!
One bishop is putting abortion and death penalty and murder on the same level. His letter spins what the Church and Bl John Paul II has said, and runs a menagerie of irrational rants based on a foundation of effeminacy and fear. These bishops seem to have no priority but somehow imagine that they are powerless to stop abortion but capable of stopping war, murder and poverty, even though Jesus tells us that the poor shall always be with us. I pray to find a sane bishop some day.
Give me a break!
Another thought……., BE NOT AFRAID!!!!
After all, are they going to put all the Priests in jail and take away
all the Churches? I think not! I am SO tired of all this garbage!!!
The Baptist Ministers down South actually have candidates come
and speak at their service………I haven’t heard of them being hauled
off by the IRS!!!
What is more important…. saving people’s lifes or keeping things
status quo??????
The Johnson Amendment violates First Amendment Rights. Other denominations pastors recognize this and are challenging it. It’s too bad we have so many cowardly bishops.
Please search ALLIANCE DEFENDiNG FREEDOM and SPEAK UP MOVEMENT. The Catholic Church needs to keep pace with the Evangelicals and challenge the Johnson Amendment
Thanks for the info Loraine!
You’re welcome!
All Bishops are not cowards – a statement from the Bishop Daniel R. Jenky, of IL.
“The Church will survive the entrenched corruption and sheer incompetence of our Illinois state government, and even the calculated disdain of the President of the United States, his appointed bureaucrats in HHS, and of the current majority of the federal Senate.
May God have mercy on the souls of those politicians who pretend to be Catholic in church, but in their public lives, rather like Judas Iscariot, betray Jesus Christ by how they vote and how they willingly cooperate with intrinsic evil.”
What is wrong with most California Bishops ?