Now able to endorse political candidates, Ohio churches express interest in staying neutral

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Although the IRS announced this month it is reversing precedent by allowing tax-exempt houses of worship to endorse political candidates, some Ohio faith organizations say their churches will remain neutral.

In a July 7 court filing, the IRS said it will relax enforcement of a 1954 provision in the U.S. tax code called the Johnson Amendment, which said that churches and other nonprofit organizations would lose their tax-exempt status if they participated in "any political campaign on behalf of, or in opposition to, any candidate for public office."

However, the Catholic Conference of Ohio, representing the state's bishops like Columbus Bishop Earl K. Fernandes alongside Cincinnati Archbishop Robert G. Casey and Cleveland Bishop Edward C. Malesic, said in a statement to NBC4 that Catholic churches in Ohio remain committed to neutrality regarding political candidates.

"While the Church or any clergy will not endorse a political party or candidates, we will continue to advocate for policies that align with Catholic teachings and advance the common good," said Brian Hickey, the conference's executive director. "Catholic clergy are also encouraged to speak out on issues and public policies that reflect the principles found in Catholic social and moral doctrine."

The Ohio Council of Churches, a partnership of 17 Christian denominations encompassing about 6,000 congregations across the state, said in a statement it has no record of any member denominations requesting relaxed enforcement of the Johnson Amendment.

"Realizing that congregants are diverse in their political party affiliation, and that God loves all people regardless of their choices of candidates, I believe OCC churches will continue to recognize the 'Imago DEI', Image of God in all people, and endorse policies and legislation that reflect Jesus Christ's values of love, peace, and justice, while refraining from endorsing candidates, regardless of party," said Rev. Dr. Jack Sullivan, Jr., the council's executive director.

The July 7 filing stems from a lawsuit filed against the IRS in September last year by a religious media group and two churches in Texas, arguing the Johnson Amendment infringes on their First Amendment rights to the freedom of speech and the free exercise of religion.

While the IRS didn't call for eliminating the amendment, it said that when a church or house of worship "speaks to its congregation, through its customary channels of communication on matters of faith in connection with religious services, concerning electoral politics viewed through the lens of religious faith," it doesn't participate in a political campaign.

"Communications from a house of worship to its congregation in connection with religious services through its usual channels of communication on matters of faith do not run afoul of the Johnson Amendment as properly interpreted," the IRS said.

President Donald Trump, who called for getting rid of the Johnson Amendment during his first term, celebrated the move by the IRS as "terrific."

"I love the fact that churches could endorse a political candidate," Trump told reporters at the White House shortly after the July 7 filing. "If somebody of faith wants to endorse, I think it's something that I'd like to hear."