Diocesan Planning Ideas
The Faithful Citizenship Web site includes a wide range of resources for parishes, committees, educational programs, youth and young adult ministries, and other groups. If you haven't already started, you may want to consider the following ideas to begin developing a plan for sharing the message of Faithful Citizenship.
Contact your State Catholic Conference for additional ideas and guidance.
Diocesan Newspapers
An article in the diocesan newspaper could describe the 2007 Faithful Citizenship statement and diocesan plans for sharing it.
Your diocesan newspaper may also want to consider running a series of articles on Catholic social teaching and the issues addressed in the statement.
The diocesan bishop may want to write a column in the diocesan newspaper about the statement, adding his own message for the local Catholic community.
Diocesan Web Site
Developing a Web page or link for Faithful Citizenship on the diocesan home page can help local people find the statement and related resources easily. You may want to link to the USCCB Faithful Citizenship Web site.
Other Newspapers and Publications
Develop a press release or adjust the USCCB press release to incorporate a local message and notify local media about the Faithful Citizenship statement. The diocesan bishop may want to add his own quote.
Local Television and Radio Programs
If you have a diocesan television or radio program, or if you have access to local cable television outlets, consider doing a program on Faithful Citizenship.
Parish E-mailing
Sending a message from the diocesan bishop to pastors can help call attention to these Faithful Citizenship e-mail messages.
Parish Mailing
Sending a message from the diocesan bishop to pastors can help call attention to Faithful Citizenship.
Diocesan Staff Strategy
Faithful Citizenship has implications for many ministries. Social ministry and pro-life leaders can share this message with their contacts in parishes and others in the diocese. Teachers and religious educators can share the basic message with their students, building a foundation for future “faithful citizens.” Offices for evangelization, Hispanic or Black Catholics, and family life can also share the message with their contacts. Focusing a diocesan staff meeting on the statement and developing a plan to share it can be an important part of the overall strategy.
Meetings of Priests, Deacons, Pastoral Associates
These parish leaders often face challenging questions and situations during election years. Those who provide continuing education for priests, deacons, pastoral associates, and others can sponsor sessions to train these leaders on how to share Faithful Citizenship, highlighting “do’s and don’ts.”
Other Meetings
Many diocesan offices host regular meetings, ongoing training programs, annual conventions and other gatherings. These represent excellent opportunities to share the political responsibility message with key leaders from parishes and schools. For example, a gathering of principals, DRE’s, or a Theology on Tap session can be focused on Faithful Citizenship.
Candidate Forums and Voter Registration
Hosting a nonpartisan candidate forum and sponsoring nonpartisan parish voter registration efforts are two valuable ways of encouraging civic participation and helping voters learn about the candidates and the issues. In the past, many dioceses have been able to host these events in a manner that provided an important service to the community while easily meeting all legal requirements.
Voter Education Days
Consider urging parishes to hold a “Voter Education Day,” a Sunday when they distribute the Faithful Citizenship bulletin insert and provide parishioners with information on the issues and the Faithful Citizenship Web site.
Political Activity Guidelines
All organizations that are tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code are prohibited from intervening in political campaigns. As a result, certain political activities that would be appropriate for individuals should not be undertaken by Catholic organizations or their representatives. The USCCB Office of General Counsel provides detailed guidance for Catholic organizations on what constitutes political campaign intervention under the Internal Revenue Code. This guidance is available at www.usccb.org/ogc. In addition, many dioceses and state Catholic conferences also provide resources for use by parishes and other Catholic organizations.
Parishes are often asked by candidates or political groups for permission to speak or distribute literature. Many parishes choose to distribute only Faithful Citizenship, materials distributed by their diocese, their state Catholic conference, or the USCCB. To avoid violating the political campaign intervention prohibition, you should seek the advice of your diocesan attorney or state Catholic conference before giving permission for the distribution of literature or providing the opportunity for candidates to speak. The items in this packet, along with other USCCB resources and the advice and materials provided by your diocese and your state Catholic conference, can help you remain non-partisan and maintain consistency with Catholic teaching.
Activities That are Allowed and Encouraged
According to the USCCB Office of General Counsel, certain activities generally are appropriate for parishes and other Catholic organizations.
Sharing the Principles of Catholic Social Teaching: Parishes and other Catholic organizations are encouraged to share the Church’s teaching on the relationships between Christian faith and political life. The Church’s teaching on political responsibility, human life, human rights, and justice and peace need to be shared more widely and effectively. Cards summarizing seven key themes of Catholic social teaching that can serve as guidelines for involvement in public life are available from the USCCB (English pub. no. 5-315, Spanish pub. no. 5-815; call 800-235-8722.) The Faithful Citizenship statement and brochure included in this packet, along with the Faithful Citizenship video and the other resources listed on the enclosed order form, are helpful tools for developing educational programs.
Voter Participation: Parishes and other Church organizations can encourage members to participate in the electoral process: to register, to vote, to become informed on a broad range of issues, and to become active in the political life of the community. Parishes and other Church organizations can also sponsor non-partisan voter registration and "get out the vote" drives. (See the enclosed resource "Ideas for Social Concerns and Pro-Life Committees: Tips for Conducting a Non-Partisan Voter Education Campaign and Voter Registration Drive.")
Ballot Measures: Supporting or opposing ballot measures, including referenda, initiatives, constitutional amendments, and similar procedures, is considered "lobbying" activity and not political campaign intervention. Parishes and other Church organizations can take positions on such measures and work to support or oppose them within the limits of permitted lobbying activity for section 501(c)(3) organizations. Any questions on these limits should be directed to your diocesan attorney or state Catholic conference.
Voter Education: Parishes and Church organizations can and should engage in non-partisan voter education. This may include distributing the results of candidate polls or surveys, so long as these materials have been approved by your diocesan attorney or state Catholic conference. Voter education materials should (1) be consistent with Church teaching on political responsibility; (2) cover a wide range of issues important to voters; and (3) exhibit no bias for or against any candidate or party.
Non-Partisanship: The Church does not and will not engage in partisan politics. Pastors may wish to publish the following bulletin announcement in the weeks before the election.
Sample Bulletin Announcement:
We strongly urge all parishioners to register, to become informed on key issues, and to vote. The Church does not support or oppose any candidate, but seeks to focus attention on the moral and human dimensions of issues. We do not authorize the distribution of partisan political materials on parish property.
DO’S AND DON’TS FOR PARISHES
DO
address the moral and human dimensions of public issues
share Church teaching on human life, human rights, and justice and peace
apply Catholic values to legislation and public issues
conduct a non-partisan voter registration drive on Church property
distribute unbiased candidate questionnaires covering issues of human life, justice, and peace that have been reviewed and approved by your diocesan attorney
check with your diocesan attorney if you have any questions about what is appropriate.
DON’T
endorse or oppose candidates for political office
distribute partisan campaign literature or biased voter guides under Church auspices
arrange for groups to work for a candidate for public office
invite only selected candidates to address your Church-sponsored group
conduct voter registration slanted toward one party.
