On Divine Mercy Sunday, April 27, 2014, Pope Francis will canonize two new saints in a Mass at the Vatican, Pope John XXIII and Pope John Paul II. These two men, each in their own unique way, served as models of “courage, holiness, charity, and attentiveness to the call of Jesus” for all Catholics, said Archbishop Kurtz of Louisville, President of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Read his full statement…
In light of the recent U.S. District Court decision to strike down Michigan’s constitutional amendment defining marriage as between one man and one woman, Michigan Catholic Conference’s The Word from Lansing column this month focuses on the true meaning and purpose of marriage. The case continues now in the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals in Cincinnati, OH, and a stay has been temporarily granted while the case is being considered further, placing the 2004 Michigan Marriage Amendment back into effect. Michigan Catholic Conference, on behalf of the Catholic bishops of Michigan, will continue to support the State’s efforts to defend marriage. Read more…
The Justice for Immigrants campaign that is dedicated to supporting the USCCB position on immigration reform has asked for “electronic postcards” to be sent to members of Congress. The bishops that comprise the USCCB Committee on Migration recently celebrated a Mass at the U.S./Mexico border to raise awareness of the need for reform and to recognize those who lost their lives attempting to cross into the United States. MCC staff is regularly in contact with the state’s Congressional delegation regarding this subject, and your voice is needed as well. Please take a few minutes to send an electronic “postcard” to your U.S. Senators and member of Congress urging them to pass comprehensive immigration reform. Read more…
Photo credit George Martell/The Pilot Media Group
Michigan residents who earn up to 133 percent of the federal poverty level (about $15,500 for a single person; $31,000 for a family of four) are now eligible to apply for the Healthy Michigan Plan. This new health care plan went into effect on April 1 and applications are now being taken for those who qualify. Michigan Catholic Conference and the leadership of the state’s Catholic health care systems supported the legislation that reformed the state’s Medicaid system and created this new benefit. A joint statement can be read here, which called for reform that was truly universal, did not deny care to those in need, and respected the life and conscience of every person. Click here to read more about the Healthy Michigan Plan, eligibility, and how to enroll.…
Michigan Catholic Conference today is applauding the state Office of Attorney General for continuing to defend the Michigan Marriage Amendment that was found unconstitutional on Friday by U.S. District Judge Bernard Friedman. After the ruling, a statement was released by the Catholic bishops in the state addressing the importance of one man and one woman in marriage and pledging to support efforts to appeal the judge’s decision. “The Catholic community has made clear its strong support for the 2004 voter approved marriage amendment, and that any legal decision to overturn the amendment should be appealed and overturned,” said Paul A. Long, Michigan Catholic Conference President and CEO. Read more…