During National School Choice Week (January 22–28), Americans have been celebrating the wide variety of educational opportunities that provide parents with choices that make a difference for students. A recent poll shows that despite restrictions in Michigan’s Constitution, Michiganders widely support school choice. Dr. Brian Dougherty, superintendent of the Office of Catholic Schools in the Archdiocese of Detroit, and Dr. Bruce Braun, superintendent for the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod Schools of Michigan, wrote a column in The Detroit News emphasizing the important role school choice plays in providing quality options for kids in the city of Detroit. Read more…

On January 25, President Donald Trump issued two executive orders on immigration policy. In these orders, he called for the construction of a wall at the U.S./Mexico border, a significant increase in the number of immigrant detentions and deportations, and the denial of federal funding to sanctuary cities. The Committee Chair of Migration from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, Most Reverend Joe Vasquez of Austin, issued a statement opposing the new measures and expressing support for immigrant families. Read more…

From January 8–14, the Catholic Church has been celebrating National Migration Week 2017 to draw attention to the positive contributions of migrants, immigrants, refugees, and human trafficking victims in society. To celebrate this week, Pope Francis joined in a Los Angeles Mass on January 12 with a special video message. Cardinal Daniel DiNardo of Galveston-Houston, President of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), expressed solidarity with the Holy Father over the need to welcome and treat all with respect, regardless of their national origin or religion. He also called for comprehensive immigration reform and humane refugee policy. Read more…

The celebration of Christmas highlights the promises of faith through the Holy Family. The U.S. bishops encourage all to live out this faith with hope, love, and charity towards one another. Throughout the past year, people of goodwill have done just that, advocating for the needs of the marginalized in society and for the common good at the State Capitol. On behalf of the Michigan bishops and the Board of Directors, Michigan Catholic Conference would like to thank these individuals and wish all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Read more…

On December 12th the Church celebrates the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe and the Memorial of St Juan Diego. To commemorate the celebration this year, Most Reverend Allen H. Vigneron, Archbishop of Detroit and chairman of the MCC Board of Directors, released a powerful statement calling for the protection of immigrants and migrants, and urges elected officials to ensure the dignity of all human persons and the protection of families. Read more…

On Tuesday, November 29th, Most Reverend David Walkowiak, Bishop of the Diocese of Grand Rapids, offered the opening invocation to start the day’s session of the Michigan Senate. Bishop Walkowiak was a guest of State Senator Dave Hildenbrand, whose legislative district lies within the Grand Rapids diocese. Bishop Walkowiak was joined during the invocation by Lieutenant Governor Brian Calley, who is also from the Grand Rapids area and is president of the Senate. During his invocation, Bishop Walkowiak stated that “all authentic service on behalf of the common good and the dignity of all is based upon justice, truth, and love.”

Archbishop Joseph Kurtz of Louisville, the president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, congratulated President-Elect Donald Trump and others who were elected by the American people in the November 8th General Election. He also called for all to come together and heal divisions, saying that "now is the time to move toward the responsibility of governing for the common good of all citizens." Read more…

On Tuesday, November 8, Michiganders will vote on a number of races and ballot issues. Every candidate chosen on November 8 will make decisions that impact our communities, whether at the local, state, or federal level. Selecting candidates who are concerned with those most in need, the protection of human dignity, and the promotion of the common good should be an important priority. The Candidates, the Issues, and Your Vote provides some helpful questions to reflect upon before voting. View your local ballot…

Archbishop Joseph Kurtz, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, has released a video message encouraging all to take a moment and reflect upon one of the founding principles of our republic: the freedom of religion. Archbishop Kurtz notes recent political comments seeking to interfere with the internal life of the Church for short-term political gain and says “If this is true, it is troubling.”

A lack of civility has at times overtaken discussion about real issues in the 2016 election. Recently, reports indicating a desire by some to interfere in the internal life of the Church for political gain, as well as comments demeaning women, have raised further concerns for the American people. In an October 13 statement, the president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, Archbishop Joseph Kurtz of Louisville, emphasized a clear message: “The Gospel serves the common good, not political agendas.” He continues in the message to call on politicians, their staffs, and volunteers to hold themselves to higher standards and to respect the rights of people to live their faith without interference from the state. Read more…