Michigan Catholic Conference released the following statement this afternoon in an effort to bring the voice of the Catholic community to ongoing conversations related to civility and tolerance within the public sphere in the State of Michigan: “The role of the Michigan Catholic Conference is to advocate on behalf of public policies that promote the common good for the State of Michigan. The Catholic Conference does so by working with elected officials on both sides of the political aisle as well as the Executive branch of state government. Michigan Catholic Conference does not seek to interfere with intra party discussions related to administration or partisan activity. In recent weeks, regrettable comments relating to personal classification, documented status and religion have become the source of public conversation. It is important to convey during this period that every human person is made in the image and likeness of God.” Read more…
On January 16 Governor Rick Snyder presented to a special session of the Michigan Legislature his fourth State of the State Address. In addition to comments about the economy, jobs, budgets, education, roads and other matters pertinent to the state, the Governor discussed the issue of immigration. Michigan Catholic Conference, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and the Church universal have consistently spoken to the need for all policies to promote the dignity of all human persons, whether or not they are in a documented status. In July 2011, the bishops in the State of Michigan composed a statement on immigration, which may be read here. Following the Governor’s State of the State proposal to create an Office for New Americans, Michigan Catholic Conference welcomed the governor’s comments and spoke further to the need for comprehensive immigration reform in Congress. Click here to read Michigan Catholic Conference’s State of the State news release. Read more…
Michigan Catholic Conference President and CEO Paul A. Long released the following statement regarding the death of former Lieutenant Governor Connie Binsfeld: “It is with great sadness to have learned of the passing of former Lieutenant Governor Connie Binsfeld. Mrs. Binsfeld was a close friend of the Michigan Catholic Conference, which is fortunate and honored to have worked with a fine woman of deep faith, humility and a dedication to public service. She was a role model for all elected officials in the graceful manner by which she conducted herself and how her deep faith informed her daily work in the legislative and executive branches, especially on behalf of children. Michigan Catholic Conference is pleased to have collaborated with Mrs. Binsfeld on her significant legislative accomplishment pertaining to surrogate motherhood and her role as honorary vice-chair of the Citizens for Compassionate Care group that defeated an assisted suicide ballot proposal in 1998. Michigan Catholic Conference and the State of Michigan this week mourn the death of a true and faithful public servant.” Read more…
The Administrative Committee for the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops has released a brief statement celebrating the first anniversary of Pope Francis’s pontificate. In their statement, the bishops specifically cite Francis’s concern for the poor, his initial steps in reforming the Roman Curia, and his outreach to alienated persons throughout the world. According to the statement, “He has set an example by choosing a personal simplicity of life, by washing the feet of prisoners, and by taking into his hands and kissing the badly disfigured.” The USCCB Administrative Committee is the highest ranking body of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops when the bishops are not in plenary session. Read more…
The constitutional amendment that defines marriage between one man and one woman in Michigan is on trial in federal district court in Detroit. The trial began on Tuesday, February 25 and is expected to last for at least eight days. The Office of Attorney General is defending the 2004 amendment against a lawsuit that claims the provision is unconstitutional. Michigan Catholic Conference worked to support the 2004 amendment and is appreciative of the Attorney General’s office for defending the law and the institution of marriage. On Monday, February 24, the Detroit Free Press ran an opinion/editorial article from Michigan Catholic Conference in support of traditional marriage and the state’s marriage amendment. Read more…
February’s The Word from Lansing column focuses on Michigan Catholic Conference participation earlier this month in the Catholic Social Ministry Gathering in Washington D.C., which was sponsored by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and designed to promote advocacy for policies that protect the most vulnerable in society. As staff and Catholics involved in social ministry throughout the country participated in the event, Michigan citizens also sent messages to elected officials on the importance of comprehensive immigration reform, criminal justice reform, and legislation addressing loopholes in federal law to protect taxpayer dollars from contributing to abortion. The column also focuses on the importance of remembering the vulnerable throughout the 2014–2015 state budget process. Read more…
Juvenile Life Legislation Signed; Cases Begin in Michigan Supreme Court; MCC Continues to Support Human Trafficking Legislation; Michigan Marriage Trial Update. Read more…
MCC Supports Medical Ethics Bills Before House Committee; Senate Judiciary Committee Approves Victim Impact Statement Bills With MCC Support; Senate Passes Human Trafficking Bills that Address Victim Needs, Now Await House Action; Marriage Redefinition Trial Begins February 25th for Michigan; Michigan Catholic Teen Writes Legal Brief on Behalf of Juvenile Lifers. Read more…
