Lansing Update publishes on Fridays when the Michigan Legislature is in session and chronicles legislative activity of interest to Michigan Catholic Conference. Join the Catholic Advocacy Network to receive Lansing Update in your inbox. This week: Resolution: Catholic Schools Strengthen the Common Good; MCC-Supported "Raise the Age" Policy Re-Introduced in State Legislature; MCC Participates in Catholic Social Ministry Gathering. Read more…

Michigan Catholic Conference President and CEO Paul A. Long offered the following sentiments regarding the death of former U.S. congressman Mr. John Dingell: “The outpouring of sympathy and condolences following the death of John Dingell in no small way exemplifies the extent to which ‘The Dean’ influenced so many in this state and the nation’s capital.” Read more…

The Catholic Church offers assistance to those most in need, including through foster care and adoption services. On February 1, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) announced support for the bipartisan “Child Welfare Provider Inclusion Act of 2019” introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives. This legislation would allow faith-based providers to continue serving vulnerable children in accordance with their religious beliefs, without fear of adverse action from the federal or state government. Read more…

Lansing Update publishes on Fridays when the Michigan Legislature is in session and chronicles legislative activity of interest to Michigan Catholic Conference. Join the Catholic Advocacy Network to receive Lansing Update in your inbox. This week: National School Choice Week Event Held in Lansing; Catholic Schools Week Begins on Sunday, January 27; Michigan Program Promotes Alternatives to Abortion; The Word from Lansing: 2019–2020 — A Blueprint for the Common Good. Read more…

Ten advocacy principles will guide staff in the 2019–2020 state legislative session: human life and dignity, preferential option for the poor and regulatory policies, religious liberty, education, children and families, health care, restorative justice, immigration and refugees, care for creation, and select federal issues. In The Word from Lansing column for this month, MCC delves further into the importance of engagement, advocacy, and collaboration, guided by these principles. Read more…

Lansing Update publishes on Fridays when the Michigan Legislature is in session and chronicles legislative activity of interest to Michigan Catholic Conference. Join the Catholic Advocacy Network to receive Lansing Update in your inbox. This week: March for Life Promotes the Value of the Human Person; MCC Issues Priorities for 2019-2020 State Legislative Session; Legislative Committees for 2019-2020: What Role Do They Serve?; USCCB Recognizes MLK's Example for Society in Advance of Holiday; National Catholic Schools Week Begins January 27. Read more…

On Monday, January 21, Americans will celebrate the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., including his commitment to racial equality and justice. In a statement, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) highlighted the positive impact of this dedicated civil rights leader, calling him a “messenger and true witness to the power of the gospel lived in action through public life.” The bishops also urged Catholics and people of good will to continue Dr. King’s work, fighting racism in the Church and in society. Read more…

Each year, the March for Life in D.C. sends a strong signal that every human life has value, including the unborn. The event began as a peaceful protest of the U.S. Supreme Court decisions that legalized abortion in America in 1973. The theme for this year’s rally is “Unique from Day One: Pro-Life is Pro-Science.” The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops was pleased to see that during the event, President Donald Trump announced he will veto any measures that repeal or weaken existing pro-life laws or policies. Additional information on the March…

From January 27 to February 2, Catholic dioceses around the country will be celebrating National Catholic Schools Week with the theme “Catholic Schools: Learn. Serve. Lead. Succeed.” This year’s theme focuses on the important contributions that are provided by a Catholic education and that assist students in becoming critical thinkers, strong communicators, and active members of society. In 2017, over 51,000 Michigan students received a Catholic education in 224 schools, leaving a significant positive impact on the state’s communities. Read more…

The Catholic Church calls for engagement in society, including in politics, to create a better world. At the state level, MCC actively engages in the public policy process on behalf of the Church, seeking policies that recognize the inherent value of every person and promote the common good. In its January FOCUS, MCC outlines the ten guiding principles that will guide staff advocacy throughout the 2019–2020 Michigan legislative session. Read more…

Lansing Update publishes on Fridays when the Michigan Legislature is in session and chronicles legislative activity of interest to Michigan Catholic Conference. Join the Catholic Advocacy Network to receive Lansing Update in your inbox. This week: Newly Elected Officials Head to Lansing in 2019; Priority Pro-Marriage, Anti-Poverty Bill Becomes Law; Webcam Abortion Ban & Safe Delivery Device Bills Vetoed; New MCC-Supported Law Recognizes the Grief of Stillbirth for Families; MCC Applauds Governor's Signature of School Safety Measures and Funding; With Governor's Signature, Petition Bill Becomes Law; Donor Privacy Measure Vetoed in Final Days of 2018. Read more…

Throughout the 2017–2018 Michigan legislative session, Michigan Catholic Conference reviewed more than seven hundred bills, suggested bill language, testified in public committees, and represented the Church’s positions to elected officials and the media. The Word from Lansing column from December reflects on successes from the two-year session and the importance of continued work in 2019. Read more…