Buddhist Catholic Contemplative Evangelical General Christian Hindu Jewish Latter-day Saint Muslim New Visions Progressive Christian

Beliefs

Topics

Columnists

Resource Library

Research Tools

Video

Podcasts

Thought Readers

Faith In Media Tracker

Newsletters

Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In Subscription Support

Follow Patheos

Why I Am Catholic

Home
Politics and the Priesthood: The Military Analogy UPDATED

Politics and the Priesthood: The Military Analogy UPDATED

Last updated on: January 24, 2017 at 5:57 pm by Frank Weathers

Politics and the Priesthood: The Military Analogy UPDATED 2017-01-24T17:57:03-05:00 Frank Weathers

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

In all the years I’ve sat in pews in the Catholic Church (eighteen as a non-Catholic, and four as a Catholic), I’ve never heard any partisan political words uttered by a parish priest. Maybe I wasn’t paying close enough attention, but I don’t think that is the case. Here’s the reason why.

A few days back my blog neighbor, Deacon Greg Kandra, shared a post on his blog entitled On Priests and Political Activism. With it he shared a few pertinent facts that remind us that although all the rest of our Facebook friends are bombarding us with political posts left, and right (pun intended, and as if they could change our minds), we really shouldn’t be seeing any such silliness coming from a Catholic priest.

Which makes posts like these a bit awkward.

You see, there are rules of engagement regarding the priesthood and the political realm, as Deacon Greg’s post makes clear. The same holds true for deacons, though with the permission of their bishop, they have a little more leeway. But generally, for those holding any grade of Holy Orders, the boundaries for political behavior runs along the lines of “That way==>> there be dragons. Stay away!”

You must never go there…

Because the bishops are pretty clear on the rules and the Internal Revenue Service is too. You see, tax law prohibits priests representing parishes or Church organizations, or 501(c)(3) non-profit corporations, to endorse or attack any candidate or party by name. Here’s an example from the USSCB document section marked Individual Political Campaign Activity,

Rating Candidates. The rating of candidates for character, experience and professional ability, even on a non-partisan basis, violates the political campaign intervention prohibition. The rating of candidates based on their agreement with a Catholic organization’s positions or the labeling of candidates as pro-life or anti-family or by using symbols or signs, likewise violates the political campaign intervention prohibition. [See: Rev. Rul. 67-71, 196701 C.B. 125 [rating candidates for school board]; G.C.M. 39441 (September 28, 1985); Association of the Bar of the City of New York v. Commissioner, 858 F.2d 876 (2d Cir. 1988), cert. denied, 109 S.Ct. 1768 (1989).]

Crystal isn’t much clearer than that.

I was chatting this afternoon with my blogfather, Webster Bull and at one point, he mused that I must enjoy discussing politics. But I disagreed. Truth be told, I don’t. It’s just that lately, what with the ongoing HHS Mandate power grab, I’ve felt compelled to say something and do something in the political realm. It’s good to be a civilian, see. But talking politics isn’t in my blood, nor is it something that I learned in the culture where my formative adult years were spent. Which brings me to the military analogy promised in the title above.

Just like how those who hold any grade of Holy Orders need to steer clear of partisan politics, so too do folks serving in the military. My favorite semi-monastic secular order, the United States Marine Corps, provides the proof of this statement over on their blog. Truth be told, it’s a little more liberal than what priests are allowed.

Every few years Marines and other service members have the opportunity to support their favorite political candidate by voting. As important as it is to vote, Marines also need to know what they can and can’t do in politics.

The Department of Defense has a longstanding, well-defined policy regarding political campaigns and elections to avoid the perception of DoD sponsorship, approval or endorsement of any political candidate, campaign or cause. The department encourages service members to fulfill the civic obligation to vote, but makes clear members of the Armed Forces on active duty should not engage in partisan political activities.

Below is a list of what service members can and cannot do each election year. This list is not all-inclusive.

Remember, supporting a candidate is ok but endorsing one is not — not even on Facebook.

Once again, the similarities between the Church Militant, and the military are made apparent. Any questions? Go check out the DoD memo for clarification.

Semper Fidelis

Previous Post

September 1, 2012

Possibly the Brightest Chapter in the Obama Presidency: Beer Brewing in the White House

Next Post

September 3, 2012 Six Great Songs for Labor Day 2012 (Music for Mondays) UPDATED

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Blog News Conversion Story Culture Learning Living Nature Prayer Uncategorized Working

Select a Month June 2016 May 2016 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012 December 2011 November 2011 October 2011 September 2011 August 2011 July 2011 June 2011 May 2011 April 2011 March 2011 February 2011 January 2011 December 2010 November 2010 October 2010 September 2010 August 2010 July 2010 June 2010 May 2010 April 2010 March 2010 February 2010 January 2010 December 2009 November 2009 October 2009 September 2009 August 2009

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

What does "Jehovah Nissi" mean?

Select your answer to see how you score.

The Lord is My Banner The Lord is My Provider The Lord is Holy The Lord Saves