News Releases

    Michigan House Votes to Allow Discrimination Against Religious Communities

    Faith-Based Organizations Believing in Gender Differences and Traditional Marriage Likely to be Targeted

    A angel carvel from marble, wings spread and holding a crucifix.

    The Michigan House of Representatives voted to amend the state’s civil rights act that will likely create a right to target religious organizations for their teachings, beliefs and practices related to traditional marriage and biological gender differences, Michigan Catholic Conference stated after the vote.

    Senate Fails to Include Religious Protections in Changes to Civil Rights Law

    The interior of a Catholic church, blurred for artistic effect.

    Michigan Catholic Conference expressed disappointment today with the Senate voting to pass legislation that adds new categories to the state’s civil rights law without an amendment that protects religious organizations from discrimination, which MCC believes will lead to targeting of faith-based social service, educational and charitable organizations, and force small non-profit religious organizations into lengthy litigation in state courts.

    Catholic Conference Releases Blueprint for 2023–24 Legislative Session

    Measures that Protect All Human Life, Education Policy and Religious Liberty Further Drive MCC’s ‘Blueprint for the Common Good’

    The Michigan State Capitol building on a sunny day.

    Enacting common sense gun safety measures, increasing access to affordable homes, and allowing undocumented immigrants and refugees to obtain driver’s licenses are among the measures Michigan Catholic Conference will pursue this legislative session. As outlined in Blueprint for the Common Good, the Conference’s policy document for the 2023—24 Michigan legislative session that was released today.

    Catholic Conference Urges Religious Protections as Senate Committee Amends ELCRA

    Every State That Has Amended Anti-Discrimination Law Has Included Religious Protections

    The Michigan State Capitol building on a sunny day.

    MCC urged lawmakers to include protections for religious organizations in pending legislation to expand the state's civil rights act, noting that 22 other states that have expanded their civil rights laws have also included religious protections for people and institutions that believe in marriage between one man and one woman and the biological difference between men and women.

    MCC Grateful for Bipartisan House Passage of EITC Legislation

    Tax relief for low-income workers moves closer to final passage

    A husband and wife and their three children sitting on the sofa, reading together.

    In a statement, MCC regonized the overwhelming bipartisan votes by both the state House and Senate this week to increase the state earned income tax credit to 30 percent and make it effective immediately for the 2022 tax year, a significant step forward for delivering immediate tax relief to working, lower-income Michigan families.

    Catholic Conference Comments on Laws that Promote and Protect Dignity of Life and Work Following Governor’s Address

    MCC Urges Legislative Support for Gun Control, Increase to EITC Tax Policy

    An aerial view of the Michigan State Capitol building.

    Michigan Catholic Conference issued a statement offering support for legislation that protects children from gun violence as well as an increase to a state tax policy that aids low-income workers in Michigan — both of which were mentioned by the Governor in her State of the State address this week — in recognition that these policies promote the dignity of human life and work.

    On the Death of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI

    Benedictus XVI in 2010
    Photo by Mark Bray, CC BY 2.0

    Upon hearing of the death of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI at the age of 95, Michigan Catholic Conference President and CEO Paul A. Long offered the following reflections: “Together with the Catholic bishops and dioceses in Michigan, we offer our prayers for the soul of Benedict XVI and entrust the pope emeritus to the intercession of the Blessed Mother.”

    MCC Statement on Outcome of Proposal 3

    ‘Our Mandate Now is to Accelerate a Mission of Love and Respect for All Human Life’

    A baby being baptized.

    Michigan Catholic Conference issued a statement in response to Proposal 3 that reiterates the Church’s ongoing mission to pray for and work toward a day where human life is welcomed as a gift and where abortion is considered an unthinkable option. MCC also expressed its heartfelt gratitude to bishops, clergy, religious and the Catholic faithful across Michigan for their bold and courageous stand to speak the truth in love through this campaign, as well as the outpouring of support and action from Catholic parishes and grassroots citizens.

    Catholic Conference Responds to Michigan Supreme Court Decision in Rouch World

    Closeup of a judge's gavel with the scales of justice in the background.

    A decision rendered by the Michigan Supreme Court yesterday usurps the legislature’s role in the democratic process, presents constitutional problems for people of faith, and places in jeopardy religious persons and entities who wish to serve others in the public square, Michigan Catholic Conference said in a statement today in response to the ruling made in the Rouch World v. Department of Civil Rights case.

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