As long as it is clear that they are not representing their parish or congregation when they support a candidate, they can do as they wish, just as any other citizen, when supporting a candidate. For instance, they cannot wear the collar when speaking for a candidate. They must wear street clothes.

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I am an American. That's the way most of us put it, just matter of factly. They are plain words, those four: you could write them on your thumbnail, or sweep them clear across this bright autumn sky. But remember too, that they are more than just words. They are a way of life. So whenever you speak them; speak them firmly, speak them proudly, speak them gratefully. I am an American. ...a tradition

That's a loophole you could drive a truck through. All they do is simply speak well of a candidate from the pulpit without actually SAYING "I endorse this guy", or speak badly of the opponent (or the opponent's party) and you have an endorsement in EVERY way, without using the word.
If you were a devout Catholic and heard a Bishop say Joe Biden should be denied Communion because he's pro choice, would YOU vote for him?

And I have heard actual endorsements from the various clergy supporting candidates specifically. Unfortunately I can't recall the actual cases.

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Not a day goes by that I don't see something that reinforces my belief that people are idiots.

Its ironic you mention that because we do have some churches who do exactly that, they'll go on about abortion through the whole sermon and talk about folks who do it being evil and deserving to go to hell. Then they are glad nobody is like that in their own church or within the families of those in the church. Then he'll look at a family and say "Would you want your name to be stained with such evil"? And then ask if they would want their good name and reputation ever to be associated with abortion, or their name against such inherrant evil, which to most is interpretted as whether you want your name written the name of a candidate who is pro choice.

You are definitely right about this, however, I do not see how a church can get around this unless they just don't emphasize it. When the teaching is true to their doctrine then they need to stay true to it, and make sure their people know about it. If any church changes their teaching "as the wind blows" just to support a candidate then I definitely would not want to be part of that church. The clergy would be a bunch of hypocrites.

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Sensible Alternative Energy

When my priest has any impact on how I vote is when I need to take a very, very long vacation. I'm not a blind follower, though, and most I know in the Church aren't. However, as far as a church which actually has some integrity in this area (except for that guy in Chicago), the rule of thumb in the Church is if one has ANY suspicion, don't do it and don't say it. That doesn't keep the occassional moron from opening his mouth, though. We all know how well the Church is in policing itself in other areas; when it comes to a possible loss of money, however, the Church pays very close attention.

But, yes, it is dicey. That's why I am all for cracking down on it so that most will think twice about it and a crackdown will bring in more revenue.

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I am an American. That's the way most of us put it, just matter of factly. They are plain words, those four: you could write them on your thumbnail, or sweep them clear across this bright autumn sky. But remember too, that they are more than just words. They are a way of life. So whenever you speak them; speak them firmly, speak them proudly, speak them gratefully. I am an American. ...a tradition