Arizona Bishops' Statement on Unapproved Political Efforts

From the Arizona Catholic Conference of Bishops:

In light of the upcoming election on November 8th, the Bishops of the Arizona Catholic Conference are aware of different organizations and publications calling themselves “catholic,” but that do not represent the Catholic Church. These organizations cover various ends of the political spectrum and often engage in partisan political endeavors.

It should be pointed out that Canon 216 of the Roman Catholic Code of Canon Law stresses that no initiative can lay claim to the title “catholic” without the consent of the competent ecclesiastical authority. The use of the name “catholic” implies that the initiative in some way represents the Catholic Church. Hence the competent authority -- in most instances the local bishop -- must give permission for any entity, endeavor, or movement to call itself “catholic.” Those who do so without permission are in violation of Church teaching and law.

We must stress that the Catholic Church is always politically non-partisan. Moreover, it is worth recalling that the Catholic Church has a long tradition of our beliefs influencing our personal politics -- not our personal politics trying to influence our faith. When we reverse those two, we place ourselves outside the tradition and teachings of the Catholic Church.

For an official reflection from Arizona’s Catholic Bishops on the upcoming election, people are urged to click on this link: https://youtu.be/-J_FTbPgVLI