As the level of civility and respect for others with differing opinions has diminished with each passing political campaign season, Michigan Catholic Conference (MCC) has undertaken an advertising effort encouraging Catholics and residents of the state to pledge civility, clarity, and compassion when discussing and debating candidates and politics. To promote the nonpartisan Civilize It effort, a one-minute television commercial featuring a diverse range of Catholics taking the pledge has been produced and will begin to run today in various television markets across Michigan. 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: Form Your Conscience, Vote, and Pray This Election; Participate in Civilize It This 2020 Election Cycle; MCC Expresses Concerns as Petition Moves Forward. Read more…

On Tuesday, November 3, Michiganders will participate in the 2020 Election. The Church does not endorse candidates, but it highlights the Catholic responsibility to be active in the public realm, including through voting. As Catholics consider their voting choices, they are called to consider candidate positions on a wide range of issues important to the common good, while also weighing each according to its moral importance. As the U.S. bishops outline, all issues do not bear the same moral weight on one’s conscience. Read more…

On October 15, the U.S. Census Bureau ended field operations for the 2020 Census. MCC is grateful to all who responded and all who worked to ensure a more accurate count was achieved. Your actions will help determine the state’s representation in Congress for the next decade, influence the way federal and state legislative lines will be drawn, inform emergency preparedness and public safety plans across Michigan, and guide how federal funding is distributed for local needs. Thank you.

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: Stillborn Certificate Fee Exemption Signed Into Law; MCC Encourages Participation in 2020 Election, Offers Voter Resources; Take the Pledge: Join Other Michiganders in “Civilizing It”; Legislation to Eliminate Certain Mandatory Minimums Continues Forward. 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: Respect Life Month Reminds of Needed Action, Advocacy for Human Life; Action Needed! Support the Federal SAVE Moms & Babies Act; MCC Offers Summaries on Statewide Ballot Proposals; Participate in Civilize It This 2020 Election Cycle. 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: TAKE ACTION! Protect and Support Life; Governor's Veto of Health and Safety Line-Item Neither Just Nor Fair; State Budget Retains Many MCC-Supported Programs; USCCB Decries Exclusion of Catholic School Students in Proposed Aid; Executive Order Ensuring Legal Protections for Babies Applauded by USCCB; Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Resolution Passed; MCC Election Webpage Offers Conscience Formation Resources; The Word from Lansing: Promote Civility, Love Others, and Build Community This Election; Food Assistance Bill Passes Senate, Continues to House Committee; Senate Jail Reform Measures Clear Committee This Week; Justice for Immigrants Initiative Celebrates Fifteen-Year Anniversary. Read more…

Today Governor Gretchen Whitmer vetoed from the state’s 2020–2021 fiscal year budget a $100 placeholder that would fund an appropriation to reimburse nonpublic schools for health and safety regulations mandated by the State of Michigan. Michigan Catholic Conference responded with the comments below, stating that while the veto was expected, “just and fair, it certainly was not.” 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: October 1 Marks Beginning of Respect Life Month; Legislature, Governor Come to Agreement on 2020–2021 State Budget; MCC Election Website Offers Voter Registration Resources; Senate Votes 37-1 on Bill to Waive Stillborn Certificate Fee; Michigan House Passes Jail Reform Bills; Charitable Giving Tax Credit Clears House; Food Assistance Measure Continues to Senate Floor; Educational Assistance Measures Move Forward in Legislative Process; U.S. Catholic Bishops Call for Federal Executions to Stop; September 27 is the World Day for Migrants and Refugees. Read more…

Together, people of faith have the opportunity to elevate the tone of political discussions and contribute to a greater sense of civility this election season. The Word from Lansing column for September addresses the importance of committing to such actions, especially through the nonpartisan Civilize It campaign. It also highlights resources to help Catholics prepare for voting, including ten insights from Catholic saints that apply to action in the public realm. 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: Election-Related Civilize It Advertising Launches in Michigan; Committee Discusses Education Assistance for Prisoners, Those Impacted by COVID; Election Webpage Offers Information Resources for Catholic Voters; State Day of Prayer, Fasting, and Humiliation to Be Held Next Week. 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: Michigan Catholic Conference Launches Election Webpage; House Committee Considers Further Jail Reform Bills; MCC Supports Day of Prayer Resolution and Charitable Giving Tax Credit. Read more…