Political Responsibility
Guidelines for Parish Leaders

Catholic Diocese of Richmond


Catholics are called to be active and informed citizens.  The parish has an important, but limited role in the political process.  These DOs & DON'Ts for Parish Leaders can help guide an appropriate program of voter education prior to elections.
 
 

DO
  • DO share Catholic social teaching on human life, human rights, and justice and peace.
  • DO address the moral/human dimension of public issues.
  • DO apply our values to legislation and public policy issues.
  • DO invite all candidates for public office to a Church-sponsored public forum, debate, or candi-date night.
  • DO conduct a nonpartisan voter registration drive on Church property.
  • DO encourage parishioners to vote!
DON'T
  • DON’T endorse or oppose candidates for political office.
  • DON’T distribute partisan campaign literature under Church auspices or on Church property.
  • DON’T arrange for groups to work for a candi-date for public office.
  • DON’T invite only selected candidates to address a Church-sponsored group.
  • DON’T conduct voter registration slanted toward one party.
  • DON’T distribute a biased candidate survey or a single-issue survey.

 

You may find it helpful to include the following notice in your bulletin in the weeks prior to an election:
 
 

 
Political Responsibility:

We strongly urge all parishioners to register to vote, to stay informed of social issues, to study Catholic social teaching and to vote.  The Church does not support or oppose candidates, but rather seeks to focus attention on the moral and human dimensions of issues.  The parish does not authorize the distribution of outside political materials on parish property and such materials do not reflect the support of the Church.

 
Voter Education

For a handy review of the election issues of importance to the Catholic community, order Faithful Citizenship: A Catholic Call to Political Responsibility by the Administrative Board of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.  (Call 1-800-235-8722 & ask for publication # 5-561.)

This document was prepared for the 2004 national elections; but parishioners will also find the review of principles and issues helpful in forming their consciences prior to other national or state elections.

 

Revised December 1, 2003