On Tuesday, November 8, Michiganders will vote on candidates and issues at the local, state, and federal level. It is important for Catholics especially to consider the impact of their choices at the ballot box, especially as it pertains to protecting the dignity of human life, providing for the poor and vulnerable, and promoting the common good. In The Issues, the Candidates and Your Vote: Calling for Dignity in the Public Square, MCC provides information about the upcoming election, discusses conscience formation, and lists questions to consider before voting. Read more…

Denying an undocumented resident of the state access to a driver’s license not only harms the dignity of that person but also makes life’s daily routines excessively difficult, Michigan Catholic Conference said on Tuesday, September 20th during a press event in Lansing on the steps of the State Capitol. The event included State Representatives Harvey Santana (D-Detroit) and Stephanie Chang (D-Detroit), MCC and several organizations that support policies that improve the lives of immigrants. Read more…

The celebration of Labor Day at the beginning of this month brought attention to the dignity and sense of identity that work brings to individuals. At the same time, the day also highlighted the real economic struggles individuals and families are experiencing. The Word from Lansing for September examines the current status of employment in Michigan, the impact of work on the life of the family, and the efforts that are needed to build a more just economy. Read more…

Earlier this year, the State Board of Education developed voluntary guidelines regarding learning environments for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning (LGBTQ) students. Michigan Catholic Conference submitted public comments to the Board’s initial draft in May. On Wednesday, September 14, the Board of Education approved a final version of its document by a 6-2 vote. MCC has issued a statement after the vote opposing the guidance. Read more…

On September 9, 2016, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops submitted comments to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services objecting to mandated coverage of abortifacients, contraceptives and sterilizations in employer health plans. The comments responded to a request from the Department about how best to accommodate those organizations with religious objections to the coverage while still allowing those with no religious objections to obtain it. Read more…

In honor of the celebration of Labor Day, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops have released a statement recognizing the dignity of work and highlighting the connection between current economic pressures and stresses on the family. The statement from Archbishop Thomas Wenski of Miami, chairman of the Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development, provides a message of hope and solidarity from the Catholic Church for those experiencing isolation in today’s economy. Read more…

In July, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops announced the formation of a task force to engage critical issues such as race relations, economic opportunity, restorative justice, mental health, and gun violence. Addressing these issues, especially in light of recent shootings, requires an openness to dialogue. This month’s column for Catholic newspapers highlights the need for all people to create a culture of life and speak out against violence. Read more…

U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) and Catholic Relief Services (CRS) recently released a fourth video as part of a seven-part series on Catholic Social Teaching. This video highlights the importance of encountering and serving the marginalized in the community. The teachings of the Catholic Church call for individuals to meet the immediate needs of those who are struggling, while also addressing larger problems in society that are contributing to their circumstances. Watch now……

In light of recent incidents of violence and racial tension in communities across the United States, the president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops has invited all dioceses across the country to unite in a Day of Prayer for Peace in Our Communities. He has also appointed a special task force to support bishops in marking that Day of Prayer, and more broadly, in promoting peace and healing during this time of great strain on civil society. Read more…

In June, Governor signed the 2016–2017 state budget into law, including $2.5 million to reimburse non-public schools for compliance with state health and safety mandates. Michigan Catholic Conference supported the funding throughout the budget process as a way to ensure that all students across Michigan, regardless of the type of school they attend, are cared for and protected. This week, Governor Rick Snyder asked the Michigan Supreme Court for an advisory opinion on the constitutionality of the mandate funding before October 1, 2016. Staff welcomes the decision, which will provide clarification on this important policy. The Word from Lansing column for July outlines why such funding is beneficial for Michigan students. Read more…

“Disturbing new actions to force healthcare providers to participate in the destruction of human life cry out for an immediate federal remedy,” Cardinal Timothy Dolan and Archbishop William Lori wrote to Congress this week in support of the Conscience Protection Act of 2016. The Act would “ensure that those providing much-needed health care and health coverage can continue to do so without being forced by government to help destroy innocent unborn children.” The chairmen of the USCCB Committee on Pro-Life Activities and the Ad Hoc Committee for Religious Liberty citied in their letter three recent examples of government coercion on abortion: in New York, California and Washington State. In their call to enact the Conscience Protection Act, the bishops reference recent Fourth of July celebrations, urging Representatives to “uphold the rights to life and liberty which our Founding Fathers wisely asserted as most fundamental to our nation's existence.” Read more…

Between October 2014 and September 2015, the Michigan Department of Transportation offered almost 89 million public transit rides, including 4.3 million rides for elderly passengers and 8.4 million rides for passengers with disabilities. In each county across Michigan, offering alternative transportation options helps keep individuals connected to the community and the services they need, especially those who are most vulnerable. Research has shown that without adequate transportation access, low-income patients and those with disabilities are more likely to have difficulty accessing health care. This month’s The Word from Lansing column for Catholic newspapers highlights the importance of public transportation and its ability to connect individuals to health care and employment, among other aspects. The column also mentions the economic benefits public transit can have for households. According to the American Public Transit Association, households who regularly use public transportation can save more than $8,000/year on average. Michigan Catholic Conference covered this topic in more depth in its July FOCUS called Transportation, Community, and the Common Good. Read more…