Michigan Catholic Conference today filed in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan a new legal complaint against the federal government regarding the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) objectionable services mandate. The complaint challenges the HHS mandate on the grounds that it violates longstanding religious liberty protections by forcing religious employers to facilitate coverage of morally objectionable services, such as abortion-inducing drugs, contraceptives, and sterilization in their employee health benefit plans. A similar legal complaint filed in May 2012 by Michigan Catholic Conference (MCC) against the federal government was dismissed without prejudice on procedural grounds in March 2013, when a judge found the case was not ripe for adjudication before HHS finalized its rule. MCC’s new complaint challenges the final HHS rule, which was promulgated on June 28 and is set to take effect beginning January 1, 2014. Read more…
Michigan Catholic Conference today is applauding the many elected officials, law enforcement officers and individuals from the Michigan Commission on Human Trafficking who today, led by Attorney General Bill Schuette, gathered to announce the unveiling of its 2013 Report on Human Trafficking. “The state as a whole and the Catholic community in particular have an obligation to defend and promote the dignity of every human person,” said Rebecca Mastee, Michigan Catholic Conference Policy Advocate. “This report from the Commission will prove indispensable toward raising awareness to the scourge of human trafficking and the victims of these crimes.” Read more…
(Lansing)—The House Families, Children and Seniors Committee on September 25 voted to support legislation that will protect the long established relationship between the State of Michigan and faith based agencies in the field of adoption and foster care placements. Michigan Catholic Conference, the primary supporter of House Bills 4927–4928 and 4991, praised the committee for voting in support of the bills that will uphold religious liberty rights for faith based agencies and prevent discrimination against such entities. “It is vitally important for the Michigan Legislature to uphold first amendment religious liberty rights,” said Tom Hickson, Michigan Catholic Conference Vice President for Public Policy and Advocacy. Read more…
To ensure taxpayer dollars are not used to pay for another person’s abortion, and to emphasize the point that abortion is not health care, Catholics are encouraged to contact their elected officials in support of Initiated Legislation 1 (see Action Alert at right). The measure is now before the Michigan Legislature after the Board of State Canvassers approved the petition forms signed by over 315,000 Michigan residents. The Legislature has 40 days to act on the initiative. Members of the Michigan House of Representatives and Michigan Senate will soon debate and vote on the measure, which only needs a simple majority in both chambers to become law. Please take a moment to contact your state elected officials through the Catholic Advocacy Network today, and listen to a brief audio message from MCC staff regarding IL 1…
MCC’s The Word from Lansing column this month focuses on the topic of human trafficking and what is being done to address this problem in Michigan. Legislation addressing a wide range of aspects of human trafficking, including improving victims services and creating tougher penalties for traffickers, have been introduced in both the Senate and the House. This legislation was aided by the recommendations of the Attorney General’s Commission on Human Trafficking and sponsored by both Republicans and Democrats. Read more…
Michigan Catholic Conference staff testified yesterday in the Senate Families, Seniors and Human Services Committee in support of human trafficking legislation that will address the needs of minor and adult victims of sex trafficking. “The state as a whole, and the Catholic community in particular, have an obligation to defend and promote the dignity of every human person, and work to remove the scourge of human trafficking from our society,” said Rebecca Mastee, Michigan Catholic Conference Policy Advocate. “The Catholic Church has an extensive history of showing compassion for and providing assistance to victims of human trafficking.” View YouTube video here…
MCC Files New Lawsuit Against HHS Mandate; Senate and House Consider Human Trafficking “Safe Harbor” Legislation; The Word from Lansing: Catholics Lead Fight Against Evil of Human Trafficking; Abortion-Opt Out Petition Signatures Reviewed by Board of State Canvassers; New USCCB President and Vice President Elected at U.S. Bishops’ General Assembly; Senate Committee Approves Religious Censorship Bill.
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