State of Washington

Ethics Advisory Committee

Question

Is it proper for a judicial officer to serve on the church finance commission which primarily deals with examining the budgets of various groups in the church, and which advises the pastor and parish council regarding the budgets?

Answer

CJC Canon 5(B) provides in part that judicial officers may participate in religious activities which do not reflect adversely upon their impartiality or interfere with the performance of their judicial duties. It continues, that judicial officers may serve as officers, directors, trustees or nonlegal advisors of a religious organization provided: 1) that the judicial officer not solicit funds or use or permit the use of the prestige of their office for that purpose; and 2) they do not give investment advice to the organization.

A judicial officer may serve on the church finance commission provided that the judicial officer does not personally participate either directly or indirectly in fundraising activities and does not give investment advice to the church.

Opinion 93-29

11/22/1993