Can a permanent deacon share his poltical views on facebook?

[EmeraldOak]

The well-respected deacon from our church, who facilitated the enthronement of our home to The Sacred Heart of Jesus, is currently being pelted on facebook because he posted a pro-Trump meme. People are saying that as an ordained deacon he has no business posting his political views on facebook. I would like to come to his defense. Is there something from the CCC or a church document that I can quote saying that he is free to do this? He works very hard in our parish and seems to be a holy person who takes his vocation seriously. I feel badly for him.

 

[thephilosopher6]

The well-respected deacon from our church, who facilitated the enthronement of our home to The Sacred Heart of Jesus, is currently being pelted on facebook because he posted a pro-Trump meme. People are saying that as an ordained deacon he has no business posting his political views on facebook. I would like to come to his defense. Is there something from the CCC or a church document that I can quote saying that he is free to do this? He works very hard in our parish and seems to be a holy person who takes his vocation seriously. I feel badly for him.

As far as I know, he has every right to share his political views. People are probably mad because he supports Trump.

 

[PaulfromIowa]

Being a deacon does not mean that one gives up his rights to free speech or to have political opinions. The Church itself is above partisan politics.

 

[pianistclare]

Our Pastor says that the clergy may not endorse any political person or issue form the pulpit. He says the church would lose it’s tax exempt status and that it’s very unwise in general. Speak to the right and liberties of citizens, but stay away from any party or candidate advancement.

Seeing as the clergy often attend pro-life rallies, and various memorials that could be construed as political type events on their own time, I would think that FaceBook is not an considered official instrument of the Church. It’s a personal platform.

I am anxious to hear what the clergy says on this matter…Deacons? Fathers?
What say you?

 

[hadulzo]

Your pastor is somewhat wrong. How can you not talk from the pulpit about moral issues. They were moral issue long before being political issues. Also that separation part also include the issue that if a church did pay taxes, it would be supporting the state, a big no no!

 

[Irishmom2]

Your pastor is somewhat wrong. How can you not talk from the pulpit about moral issues. They were moral issue long before being political issues. Also that separation part also include the issue that if a church did pay taxes, it would be supporting the state, a big no no!

Well, pianistclare did not say moral issues. She said her pastor said no political person or idea.

 

[Neofight]

I’m not sure what the crime is, whether a deacon posts a political statement on line, or anyone supports Trump, period. I think the latter is more grave than the former.

 

[powerofk]

Your pastor is somewhat wrong. How can you not talk from the pulpit about moral issues. They were moral issue long before being political issues. Also that separation part also include the issue that if a church did pay taxes, it would be supporting the state, a big no no!

Actually, the “tax-exempt” status is for all non-profits, whether religious or secular. Partly, it keeps them from having to pay taxes on their donations (which they need to survive) and also allows people to deduct such contributions from their income, if they’re able to itemize deductions. Still, it’s strange that many religious communities have come ever so close to crossing the line where their “tax-exempt” status would be pulled, and the government hasn’t pulled the status from them yet. At the same time, if such exemption were pulled, the religious community could always sue the federal government’s tax-exempt law on religious freedom grounds.

As for the deacon, he is well within his rights as a private individual to post them on Facebook. He should note, however, that his support is his own as an individual and does not compose an endorsement of Trump by his parish nor his diocese nor the Church as a whole.

Regardless, the tax-exempt thing is pretty much a warning to not endorse any political candidate. The pastor can discuss such issues as gay marriage and abortion from the pulpit, but he cannot tell his congregation who to vote for.

 

[RPRPsych]

The well-respected deacon from our church, who facilitated the enthronement of our home to The Sacred Heart of Jesus, is currently being pelted on facebook because he posted a pro-Trump meme. People are saying that as an ordained deacon he has no business posting his political views on facebook. I would like to come to his defense. Is there something from the CCC or a church document that I can quote saying that he is free to do this? He works very hard in our parish and seems to be a holy person who takes his vocation seriously. I feel badly for him.

"It is not the role of the Pastors of the Church to intervene directly in the political structuring and organization of social life. This task is part of the vocation of the lay faithful, acting on their own initiative with their fellow citizens. Social action can assume various concrete forms. It should always have the common good in view and be in conformity with the message of the Gospel and the teaching of the Church. It is the role of the laity “to animate temporal realities with Christian commitment, by which they show that they are witnesses and agents of peace and justice.” (CCC 2442)

Not sure how far this applies to deacons, who are not exactly “pastors”, though.

 

[JurisPrudens]

Can. 287 …
§2 They (clerics) are not to play an** active role in political parties** or in directing trade unions unless, in the judgement of the competent ecclesiastical authority, this is required for the defence of the rights of the Church or to promote the common good.

Can. 288 Permanent deacons are not bound by the provisions of cann. 284, 285 §§3 and 4, 286, 287 §2, unless particular law states otherwise.

It seems, cleric may express his support for a politician, while a permanent deacon, by a general rule, may even be an active member of a political party.

 

[Inquiringperson]

Our Pastor says that the clergy may not endorse any political person or issue form the pulpit. He says the church would lose it’s tax exempt status and that it’s very unwise in general. Speak to the right and liberties of citizens, but stay away from any party or candidate advancement.

Seeing as the clergy often attend pro-life rallies, and various memorials that could be construed as political type events on their own time, I would think that FaceBook is not an considered official instrument of the Church. It’s a personal platform.

I am anxious to hear what the clergy says on this matter…Deacons? Fathers?
What say you?

I’m not an ordained man, but I have a brother in the seminary, so I’ll ask him… I think he unliked all his political affiliation stuff on Facebook. I’d ask the priest at your parish too, since you seem to be at least decently close to your priest, due to your job position.

My gut feeling right now is that I don’t think it would be prudent to share political positions on Facebook like that, since it might give someone the impression that the Church does endorse politicians. My bishop did write a good guide for Catholics dealing with the political life called “Catholics in the Public Square”, so I’ll post the link here.
dphx.org/catholics-public-square/

Some relevant quotations from “Catholics in the Public Square”.

21) Can Catholics belong to or express support for different political parties?

The Church is never partisan and does not endorse political candidates. She does, however, encourage her laity to be involved in political parties in order to devote themselves to promoting the common good. In this regard, political and civic education is deemed necessary so that all citizens will be able to play a part in political affairs. (Gaudium et Spes, 75)

1. Do bishops and priests have the right to intervene in political, social, or cultural matters?

Bishops and priests are not to participate in the public administration of the government. Nonetheless, they do have the right, and sometimes an obligation, to speak out on political, social, or cultural matters impacting the Church or the common good.

In his encyclical Deus Caritas Est (28), Pope Benedict XVI states: “It is not the Church’s responsibility to make this teaching prevail in political life. Rather, the Church wishes to help form consciences in political life and to stimulate greater insight into the authentic requirements of justice as well as greater readiness to act accordingly, even when this might involve conflict with situations of personal interest.”

The Holy Father goes on to write (ibid): “The Church cannot and must not take upon herself the political battle to bring about the most just society possible. She cannot and must not replace the State. Yet at the same time she cannot and must not remain on the sidelines in the fight for justice. She has to play her part through rational argument and she has to awaken the spiritual energy without which justice, which always demands sacrifice, cannot prevail and prosper.”

1. If bishops and priests can intervene in public issues, what is the difference then between the clergy and the laity in public policy issues?

While bishops and priests can appropriately speak out on important issues, the laity can be involved to a much larger degree. Unlike members of the clergy, the laity, in fact, is called to play a role in all areas of political involvement, including partisan politics and the administration of government.

Members of the laity generally have no restrictions in holding elective office or running the affairs of the state, while members of the clergy are generally prohibited from holding such positions.

 

[pianistclare]

Your pastor is somewhat wrong. How can you not talk from the pulpit about moral issues. They were moral issue long before being political issues. Also that separation part also include the issue that if a church did pay taxes, it would be supporting the state, a big no no!

Nobody said not to talk about moral issues.
You can’t speak about politicians, politics, or how to vote.

 

[pianistclare]

I’m not an ordained man, but I have a brother in the seminary, so I’ll ask him… I think he unliked all his political affiliation stuff on Facebook. I’d ask the priest at your parish too, since you seem to be at least decently close to your priest, due to your job position.

My gut feeling right now is that I don’t think it would be prudent to share political positions on Facebook like that, since it might give someone the impression that the Church does endorse politicians. My bishop did write a good guide for Catholics dealing with the political life called “Catholics in the Public Square”, so I’ll post the link here.
dphx.org/catholics-public-square/

Some relevant quotations from “Catholics in the Public Square”.

Thanks!
We who work for the church have to be really careful.
With the Safe Environment guidelines in place, I had to “unfriend” over 200 of my former and present students.
Couldn’t friend anyone under 18, and I went as far as under 25 to be on the safe side.
I really dislike FB, so it wasn’t really that bad, but kids love to friend their teachers.

 

[Inquiringperson]

It seems, cleric may express his support for a politician, while a permanent deacon, by a general rule, may even be an active member of a political party.

Huh, interesting.

As for the deacon, he is well within his rights as a private individual to post them on Facebook. **He should note, however, that his support is his own as an individual and does not compose an endorsement of Trump by his parish nor his diocese nor the Church as a whole. **

Yes, that would be a good policy, since Deacon could give non-Catholics on Facebook the impression that the Church plays partisan politics due to Deacon’s role as a clergymember.

 

[pianistclare]

Yes, that would be a good policy, since Deacon could give non-Catholics on Facebook the impression that the Church plays partisan politics due to Deacon’s role as a clergymember

probably so

 

[RPRPsych]

Thanks!
We who work for the church have to be really careful.
With the Safe Environment guidelines in place, I had to “unfriend” over 200 of my former and present students.
Couldn’t friend anyone under 18, and I went as far as under 25 to be on the safe side.
I really dislike FB, so it wasn’t really that bad, but kids love to friend their teachers.

Make that two of us. Political and religious discussions on Facebook are the best apologetic argument for the Calvinist doctrine of “total depravity”. (That, and comments on India-Pakistan cricket matches on YouTube. )

 

[Inquiringperson]

Thanks!
We who work for the church have to be really careful.
With the Safe Environment guidelines in place, I had to “unfriend” over 200 of my former and present students.
Couldn’t friend anyone under 18, and I went as far as under 25 to be on the safe side.
I really dislike FB, so it wasn’t really that bad, but kids love to friend their teachers.

Yes we kids do love to friend our teachers. I made sure to Facebook friend teachers I liked after I graduated high school. You teachers are awesome!

 

[pianistclare]

Yes we kids do love to friend our teachers. I made sure to Facebook friend teachers I liked after I graduated high school. You teachers are awesome!

You’re too kind. We love our students. But the scandals have caused everyone to be fearful, and policies have been put into place to protect kids, so I’m OK with it.
We have to go that extra mile for the safety of everyone.

God bless you!!!

 

[pianistclare]

LOL

Thanks Deacon Jeff!

 

[Tarpeian_Rock]

Not to seem like I’m parsing this to death, but an honest question: could one consider there to be a distinction between “endorsing” (as in, “I suggest you vote for person X”), versus simply stating “I support person X.” I’m old enough to remember that in 1960, there was open and blatant “endorsement” of JFK by every Catholic clergyman in sight, but then again, those were simpler times (though we didn’t realize it then). To say that “clergy are not permitted to endorse any candidate” in the second sense I suggested would seem to imply that clergy in your diocese understand that by virtue of their status they have surrendered their right to free speech in the setting of the political arena. So if in,say, a state election, one candidate is pro-abortion and the other pro-life, a cleric couldn’t say (obviously NOT from the pulpit) that " I support the pro-life candidate?"