Salt Lake diocese cautions against unauthorized election materials distributed at local parishes

Friday, Nov. 04, 2016

SALT LAKE CITY — During the past two weeks, political materials of different types have been either handed out or placed on the windows of vehicles at some area churches. Such activity is not authorized by the Diocese of Salt Lake City, said Susan Dennin, the diocesan communications director.

“Parishioners who seek to provide political materials at parish events without the pastor’s consent should be reminded that the church is not an open public forum where anyone can hand out political materials, and all handouts must be approved by the pastor,” she said.

While parishes are encouraged to share the Church’s teaching on the relationships between Christian faith and political life, the only documents endorsed by the Diocese of Salt Lake City are the Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship statement from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and other materials at www.faithfulcitizenship.org. 

Parishes can offer encouragement for people to participate in the electoral process by registering to vote, voting, becoming informed on a broad range of issues, and becoming active in the political life of the community, Dennin said; they also can sponsor non-partisan voter registration and “get out the vote” drives. However, supporting or opposing ballot measures and similar procedures is considered “lobbying” activity.

The rules regarding political campaign activity also apply to materials posted on parish or other church organization websites. 

“All lobbying activity in the diocese originates with the Office of the Bishop and the government liaison,” Dennin said. “The Church does not and will not engage in partisan politics.”

For information, call Jean Hill, diocesan government liaison, 801-328-8641 ext. 336.