REGARDING DISTRIBUTION OF CANDIDATE POSITION FLYERS

Just a reminder that parishes are often asked by candidates or political groups for permission to speak or distribute campaign literature.  Parishes and other IRS-designated section 501(c)(3) church organizations are prohibited from participating in political campaign activity. Thus, certain political activities that are entirely appropriate for individuals may not be undertaken by church organizations or their representatives.  To avoid violating the political campaign activity prohibition, we want to remind all pastors and church lay leaders that you can NOT distribute any literature produced by any organizations other than those produced by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, the Diocese of Honolulu, the Hawaii Catholic Conference, the Hawaii Catholic Herald, or the Hawaii Family Forum.  If you have any questions as to the appropriate nature of materials you wish to distribute, please contact Eva Andrade with the Hawaii Catholic Conference at (808) 203-6704 or Very Reverend Marc R. Alexander, Vicar General at (808) 585-3356.

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The guidelines below are taken directly from the Faithful Citizenship Website.

• Do not endorse or oppose candidates, political parties, or groups of candidates, or take any action that reasonably could be construed as endorsement or opposition.
• Do not make available the use of church facilities, assets, or members for partisan political purposes.
• Do not authorize distribution of partisan political materials or biased voter education materials (those that support or oppose—or exhibit bias for or against—any candidate or party) on church property, in church publications, or at church activities. Authorization should be given only after materials have been approved by your diocesan attorney.
• Do not invite or permit only selected candidates to address your members. Before inviting candidates, make sure such events are consistent with diocesan policy. If so, it is important that all candidates be invited

NOTIFICATION ALERT: Be advised that the Priest for Life Handout entitled “Where do the Candidates Stand on Key Issues” and the National Right to Life Handout entitled “Where do the Candidates Stand on Abortion” are not approved for distribution on church property at any time.