Statement on the Use of Election Materials in Parishes

At its March 2006 meeting the Michigan Catholic Conference Board of Directors approved the following statement regarding the distribution of election year materials in parishes in Michigan:

The Michigan Catholic Conference Board of Directors often speaks to issues that are both moral and political. The consistent ethic of life demands a concern for all the weak and vulnerable members of our society throughout all phases of life and must be promoted through the Church’s social teaching and its applications to today’s social concerns. The independence and integrity of the Church’s social teaching must be maintained.

To this end, we reaffirm the long-standing prohibition of the distribution of election year material unless published by the diocesan bishop, Michigan Catholic Conference or the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.