Warning about referendum leaflets

Archbishop Diarmuid Martin of Dublin has advised priests that, in the context of forthcoming referendums, churches “are not appropriate places” to distribute campaign literature and that in “no circumstance” should they be distributed through schools.

A statement on the Irish Catholic Bishops’ Conference website says that “experience has shown that during political campaigns, churches, because of their public accessibility, are prone to the placement of political and campaigning literature.

“In light of the announcement that some referendums will be held later this year, parishes are reminded that churches are not appropriate places for the distribution of literature of a purely electoral or campaigning nature, during referendums or election campaigns.”