The Catholic Church calls for Catholics to promote the common good and to engage in the public realm, including through voting. The U.S. bishops do not instruct Catholics for whom to vote but encourage all to develop a well-formed conscience and to consider candidates carefully before casting their ballot. In preparation for the November 2018 election, this edition of FOCUS offers issues and questions to consider before voting. Read more…

Pope Francis has approved a revision to paragraph 2267 of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, which addresses Catholic teaching on the death penalty. In light of new understanding about its use in the modern world and building on previous revisions to the Church’s teaching, the recently adopted language calls the death penalty “inadmissible” and “an attack on the inviolability and dignity of the person.” The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith announced the change on August 1, 2018. Read more…

The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) has called for Catholics to participate in a nationwide prayer campaign, each Friday from August 3 to September 28. In light of the open U.S. Supreme Court seat, the campaign is focused on praying that the change in the Court will move the United States closer to the full protection and welcoming of every human life in law. Read more…

Michiganders have two elections coming up: the August 7 Primary Election and the November 6 General Election. In preparation for these events, and to facilitate appropriate participation in political and electoral activities, Michigan Catholic Conference offers guidelines for Catholic parishes, schools, and other 501(c)(3) organizations. Read more…

Religious freedom is a cornerstone value for all Americans. Promoting Religious Freedom Through Interfaith Dialogue, June’s FOCUS, illustrates how collaborative efforts with individuals of other faiths can help to defend this important value. The FOCUS also highlights the comments given by Most Reverend Allen Vigneron, Archbishop of Detroit, at the November 7, 2017 Interfaith Religious Freedom Conference. Read more…

Faith-based agencies like St. Vincent Catholic Charities serve Michigan's most vulnerable children with love and provide needed support to foster and adoptive families. Unfortunately in 2017, the ACLU sued the State of Michigan to shut down its partnerships with faith-based foster and adoption agencies, putting at risk thousands of children who desperately need homes. In a video from Becket Law, children and families share what is at stake in this case. Read more…

Medical advances such as vaccinations have reduced the rates of many serious diseases in the United States. March’s FOCUS, Vaccinations and the Common Good, highlights Church teaching about vaccinations; examines the impact of vaccines on individuals, schools, and communities across the state; and promotes educated decisions about their use. Read more…

From January 28–February 3, Catholic dioceses around the country will celebrate National Catholic Schools Week. This year’s theme, “Catholic Schools: Learn. Serve. Lead. Succeed.,” highlights the important spiritual, academic and societal contributions provided by a Catholic education. Michigan has over 220 Catholic schools making a difference daily in this state. Read more…

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) recently announced the formation of a new Division on Conscience and Religious Freedom in the HHS Office for Civil Rights. The department also proposed a regulation to protect Americans involved in HHS-funded programs and rescinded a guidance requiring states to provide Medicaid funding to family planning providers that perform abortions. The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) applauded the actions, while also encouraging the passage of permanent legislative relief. Read more…

On January 15, Americans will celebrate Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his legacy of confronting injustice, racism, and inequality. Cardinal Daniel DiNardo of Galveston-Houston, President of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, calls for people of faith to exercise courage and commitment to “[break] the chain of hate” in observance of the national holiday. Cardinal DiNardo’s statement speaks to the “living reality” of racism today and urges the witness of leaders like Dr. King to inspired continued action. A variety of helpful resources are available through the USCCB Ad Hoc Committee Against Racism. Read more…