The head of the Roman Catholic diocese in Brooklyn, N.Y., could be flirting with illegal political activity via his recorded phone message praising a state legislator, says The New York Times.

In automated telephone calls to every registered voter in New York’s City Council District 34, the bishop, Nicholas A. DiMarzio, urges support for the Assemblyman Vito J. Lopez, a Brooklyn Democrat who played a key role in defeating legislation to allow adults to sue the Catholic Church over childhood sex abuse.

A Brooklyn Law School associate professor, Nelson Tebbe, who specializes in religion and the Constitution, said Bishop DiMarzio could be treading close to legal lines restricting political advocacy by nonprofit groups. A spokeswoman for the bishop said the calls were intended only to thank Mr. Lopez for his service to the church.

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