From the Chancellor

Calendar Items
May 4 Celebration of the Ascension of
the Lord
World Day of Prayer for Vocations
May 11 Pentecost, Mothers’ Day
May 18 Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity
May 25 Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ
May 26 Memorial Day Holiday/Catholic Center closed

Political Activity Guidelines
The Diocese of Shreveport and all parishes and churches are exempt from federal income tax under Section 501 ( c ) ( 3) of the Internal Revenue Code. This Section also prohibits participation or intervention in political campaigns on behalf of or in opposition to any candidate for public office. In court rulings the prohibition has been interpreted as absolute. If the prohibition is violated, that organization risks the loss of tax exempt status. For more information on specific guidelines see 2007 Political Activity Guidelines for Catholic Organizations on the web site of the United States Catholic Bishops, http://www.usccb.org/ogc/guidelines.shtml.

In February 2007 the Louisiana Catholic Conference (now the Louisiana Conference of Catholic Bishops) issued the Policy on the Distribution of Printed Materials and Electioneering in the Province of New Orleans. This policy states “All printed materials handed out on church property or distributed through church offices must have originated from one of three sources (1) the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, (2) the Louisiana Catholic Conference, or (3) the local bishop. Additionally, no church property may be used for partisan electioneering purposes by political candidates.” For more information see the web site of the United States Catholic Bishops, statement on Faithful Citizenship, http://www.usccb.org/faithfulcitizenship.

Christine Rivers
Chancellor

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