ARCHDIOCESE OF PHILADELPHIA

Here are some general guidelines on commonly asked questions. Confer with the current Guidelines of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia: Governing the Use of Church Facilities by Individuals, Groups or Organizations.

This document, in addition to both the United States Catholic Conference of Bishops' (USCCB) and the Pennsylvania Catholic Conference's (PCC) full legal memoranda on political activities, is available by contacting our office. Please contact the Archdiocesan Office for Communications at 215-587-3747 with any questions about these or related issues.

May a candidate/elected official appear at a non-liturgical Church event (e.g., visit a school or center)?

Yes. However, there are some guidelines to follow. If a candidate appears – in his/her capacity as a candidate for a specific office – before a Church event, another candidate for that office must be afforded a similar opportunity if it is requested. There may be no solicitation of funds, nor an endorsement of the candidate by you or a parish leader. In addition, no spoken or written words at the event should indicate bias for or against the candidate or the candidate's opponent(s).

If an elected official addresses a church/school organization, he/she may do so in their official capacity even if he/she is seeking office. In addition, you may allow meetings at Church facilities, consistent with Archdiocesan guidelines. However, you must apply the same rules for access to these groups as you would to any other civic/non-Church association. While no bias should be shown, you may place some restrictions on the size of the event and groups/individuals solicited to attend the meeting.

May a parish, school or Church organization sponsor a candidate or issues forum?

Yes. The requirements are the same as those listed above. In addition, invitations must be extended to all major candidates for the specific office in question (e.g., state house, Congress)

May a candidate, party, committee, or organization distribute material within a parish campus?

With respect to fliers and brochures the answer is multi-faceted. 1. No third-party, campaign or election fliers or brochures may be distributed at Mass or sent home with students. 2. Anyone may distribute information on public property (e.g., street, sidewalk). 3. With respect to parking lots and Church grounds, the short answer is that it is the decision of the pastor/high school president.

However: A. The rules must be applied consistently. B. All politicians must be treated alike.

Therefore, you may not say "yes" to candidate X and "no" to candidate Y. Either campaign volunteers are welcome on Church grounds or in the parking lot, or they are not. You may change your policy each year, but not during the year, if you have already issued a verbal or written policy. (With respect to voter's guides and surveys please see below.)

May a parish, school or Church organization distribute a candidate survey/voter's guide?

Yes, if it is the Archdiocese's guide. That document is approved by the Office for Communications, Archdiocesan legal counsel and PCC legal counsel. Not only may you distribute this guide, you are encouraged to do so.

Because political organizations and some non-profit educational organizations operate under different federal guidelines than the Church, you should exercise caution in distributing non-Church surveys. Just because a survey is legal under another organization's guidelines, does not necessarily make it legal or permissible under our guidelines. For example, surveys distributed by the Church or at Church facilities must not endorse or recommend any candidate. Such surveys may not express an opinion on the candidates or their positions on issues.

For a copy of the Archdiocese's, USCCB's or PCC's guidelines, contact the Office for Communications at 215-587-3747.