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To encourage participation in the 2010 U.S. Census, the U.S. Census Bureau has appointed workers to approach various religious institutions, including Catholic parishes, in order to distribute information to the public. Hence, your parish may be approached by a U.S. Census worker requesting to place literature in your church, post links on your parish Web site, or even speak or set up informational booths at parish events.

The Department of Communications asks that pastors use their own discretion when it comes to cooperating with the U.S. Census in this endeavor. Know that your parish has the right to cooperate, and also the right to decline cooperation, with census workers in this pre-census informational campaign. Also, please note this campaign is not the actual census; it is an informational campaign to promote participation in the 2010 census, which begins early next year. No personal information should be collected from parishioners during the informational campaign.

If your parish has been approached by the U.S. Census and you have any questions or concerns not addressed in this advisory, please call the Department of Communications at (313) 237-5943.