To protect the constitutional religious rights of all citizens of the state, MCC is citing concerns over a ballot proposal that seeks to define religion in the state constitution as only a person’s individual beliefs and would restrict the presence of faith-based charitable aid organizations in the public square. On July 26, the Board of State Canvassers voted 4–0 to deny certification to the petitions brought forward by Fair and Equal Michigan. Read more…

In a 2018 pastoral letter, Open Wide Our Hearts, the U.S. bishops emphasize that racism is a life issue, “directly [placing] brother and sister against each other, violating the dignity inherent in each person.” In response, all Catholics are called to acknowledge the harm of racism, to examine critically their own attitudes about race, and to listen to the experiences of their neighbors (especially those of races different than their own) in order to break down racism. This edition of The Word from Lansing elaborates on the theme of combatting racism and draws attention to those Black and African-American Catholics whose lives of virtue and perseverance are models for modern times. Read more…

Lansing Update publishes on Fridays when the Michigan Legislature is in session and chronicles legislative activity of interest to Michigan Catholic Conference. Join the Catholic Advocacy Network to receive Lansing Update in your inbox. This week: State House Approves Budgets for 2022 Fiscal Year—Nonpublic School Aid Heads to Governor; Bishops Respond on No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act; Pregnancy Tax Exemption Continues to Senate; MCC Calls for Adoption of Woman's Right to Know Act; House Resolution Affirms Right to Life for the Unborn; Elder and Child Abuse Prevention Measures Clear Committee; House Committee Passes "Sanctuary Cities" Ban; Find FAQs About Proposed Document on the Eucharist from USCCB. Read more…

Lansing Update publishes on Fridays when the Michigan Legislature is in session and chronicles legislative activity of interest to Michigan Catholic Conference. Join the Catholic Advocacy Network to receive Lansing Update in your inbox. This week: Catholic Conference Praises Unanimous SCOTUS Fulton Decision; Action Needed! Sign a Petition to Protect the Hyde Amendment; Bills, Resources Celebrate Juneteenth, the Nation's 2nd Independence Day; COVID Aid for Nonpublic Schools Close to Governor's Desk; Bill to Expand Mandatory Reporters in State Supported by MCC; MCC Raises Concerns With Legislation Prohibiting "Sanctuary Cities"; Senate Committee Approves Deadline Extension for Student Assistance; Michigan House Votes in Favor of Organ Donation Bills. Read more…

Since 1976, members of both political parties have supported the Hyde Amendment and other federal policies that have prevented taxpayer dollars from paying for abortions. Recently, President Biden released his annual budget recommendations, which did not propose a renewal of the Hyde Amendment. If passed, this change would allow billions of taxpayer funds to begin contributing towards elective abortions. Throughout the month of June, Michigan Catholics have signed a petition urging Congress to respect the conscience of the American people and to protect mothers and babies. Read more…

Today the U.S. Supreme Court ruled unanimously 9–0 in Fulton vs. City of Philadelphia that faith-based agencies providing child placement services in the public square with fidelity to their religious teachings are constitutional exercises and, as such, may continue providing those services within their faith tradition. Michigan Catholic Conference is praising the Court’s protection of religious liberty rights and is grateful for the work of faith-based agencies, Catholic Charities in particular, for their Gospel-mandated mission to exercise their ‘love of neighbor’ toward poor and vulnerable persons. Read more…

Lansing Update publishes on Fridays when the Michigan Legislature is in session and chronicles legislative activity of interest to Michigan Catholic Conference. Join the Catholic Advocacy Network to receive Lansing Update in your inbox. This week: Action Needed! Catholics Needed to Oppose Federal Equality Act; Focus: With Gratitude for African-American Catholics; Signatures Still Needed for Petition to Protect Hyde Amendment; MCC Supports Several Law Enforcement Measures in Concept. Read more…

Lansing Update publishes on Fridays when the Michigan Legislature is in session and chronicles legislative activity of interest to Michigan Catholic Conference. Join the Catholic Advocacy Network to receive Lansing Update in your inbox. This week: Sign Online Petition: Oppose Federal Taxpayer Dollars Paying for Abortion; MCC Supports Tax Credit for Certain Charitable Contributions. Read more…

African-American Catholics have contributed substantially to the shaping of communities across the country. Currently there are six African-Americans in the early stages of examination for sainthood. Their life stories and witness to the Gospel demonstrate the importance of generosity, faith, and perseverance in the midst of challenges and at times, experiences of racism. FOCUS highlights potential and current saints of African descent, and shares Catholic teaching that encourages all believers to speak out against racism. Read more…

Lansing Update publishes on Fridays when the Michigan Legislature is in session and chronicles legislative activity of interest to Michigan Catholic Conference. Join the Catholic Advocacy Network to receive Lansing Update in your inbox. This week: Your Voice is Needed to Protect Human Life; Revenue Estimating Conference Shares Positive News for State Budget; MCC Reviewing Police Reform Package Introduced into Legislature; On Memorial Day, Catholics Remember Service and Sacrifice. Read more…

Lansing Update publishes on Fridays when the Michigan Legislature is in session and chronicles legislative activity of interest to Michigan Catholic Conference. Join the Catholic Advocacy Network to receive Lansing Update in your inbox. This week: USCCB Calls for Signatures to Protect Hyde Amendment by Early June; Bill to Recognize Unborn with Additional Tax Exemption Clears Committee; The Word from Lansing: So-Called 'Equality Act' Threatens Society and Religious Communities. Read more…

Earlier this year, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Equality Act (HR 5), which would add new regulations in federal anti-discrimination laws for “sexual orientation” and “gender identity and expression.” However, if passed, the act would discriminate against people of faith for their beliefs about marriage, sexuality, and the place of religion in society. The Word from Lansing column shares the Church’s concerns about the bill and instructs Catholics about advocacy opportunities against it, as the measure is now before U.S. Senators. Read more…