I'm a Conservative Catholic — Keep Politics Out of My Church | Opinion

A Shift in Religious and Political Boundaries

As a Catholic and someone who once worked in politics, I have always found solace in the quiet of Sunday Mass. It is a time to focus on faith, not the latest political developments or candidate endorsements. I believe in religious freedom, the right to worship without government interference. However, this freedom should not come at the cost of turning sacred spaces into political arenas.

A recent ruling has changed the landscape for religious institutions. It now allows religious leaders to endorse political candidates within churches and other places of worship without risking their tax-exempt status. This shift has sparked concern among many, including myself. I hope that this does not mean my Sunday mornings will be filled with political messages from the pulpit.

The ruling followed a legal challenge by the evangelical group National Religious Broadcasters and two Texas churches against the Internal Revenue Service. They argued that the existing tax code, which prohibits religious organizations from participating in political campaigns, violated the First Amendment. As a result, the IRS has reversed its previous policy, allowing religious leaders more freedom to express political views.

This change has not been universally welcomed. Faith leaders in Miami, for example, have expressed concerns that it could lead to divisions within religious communities. Houses of worship should remain neutral spaces, not tools for political campaigns.

Some view this as a victory for religious liberty. Dr. Robert Jeffress, senior pastor of First Baptist Church in Dallas, praised the development, stating, "Government has NO BUSINESS regulating what is said in pulpits!" President Donald Trump also supported the move, saying during a White House Faith Office summit, "God is once again welcomed back into our public square."

However, I see this differently. God has never been absent from the public square. As a Catholic, I bring my values into my civic life every day. The real issue here is whether houses of worship will become extensions of political campaigns.

There is understandable frustration among some conservative Christians and others. In the past, many evangelicals actively engaged in political activities, speaking at campaign rallies and endorsing candidates. This new law allows them to do so without jeopardizing their tax-exempt status.

The "Souls to the Polls" movement, which focuses on Black churches, demonstrates how faith communities have already influenced voter turnout. Yet, the Catholic Church has taken a firm stance against this ruling. The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops issued a statement reaffirming that the Church maintains its position of not endorsing or opposing political candidates.

Having spent time in pews and on the campaign trail, I understand the difference between a sermon and a stump speech. These lines should not be blurred. When politics enters the pew, division follows. Houses of worship should be places of refuge, reflection, and reconciliation.

I may differ politically from my fellow congregants, but on Sundays during Mass, we are united in worship under one God. The last thing I want to know is who my priest is voting for or their political affiliation.

As a conservative, I believe in valuing institutions that transcend politics, not surrendering them to partisanship. Religious leaders have important responsibilities—guiding us on issues of morality and faith, for instance. But let's keep politics out of it.

Mary Anna Mancuso is a member of the Miami Herald Editorial Board. Her email: mmancuso@DISCOVER TREND