Strengthening Marriages and Families

Marriage and family life is the core social institution, directed toward establishing a foundation of success for children.

The institution of marriage between one man and one woman and the raising of children should be encouraged and supported. At the same time, attention and resources should be directed toward situations where the family structure has broken down and negatively impacted children.

To strengthen marriage and family life and promote the wellbeing of children in all circumstances, MCC supports:

• Promoting the traditional definition of marriage as the union of one man and one woman.
• Protecting and promoting the stability of marriage and the institution of the family, including protecting parental rights.
• Strengthening the long-standing relationship between the State of Michigan and nonprofit agencies in the provision of child placement services.
• Combating human trafficking, domestic violence, and abuse of vulnerable persons.
• Supporting and promoting adoption and improving foster care.

Foundational Documents

• Catechism of the Catholic Church (369–373, 1601–1666, 2201–2213, 2331–2336, 2357–2379)
• Evangelii Gaudium (Pope Francis, 2013)
• Love and Life in the Divine Plan (U.S. Bishops, 2009)
• Ecclesia in America (John Paul II, 1999)
• Familiaris Consortio, 45 (John Paul II, 1981)
• Gaudium et Spes, 50 (Paul VI, 1965)

News Releases

1. Catholic Conference Releases 2025–26 Public Policy Principles (02/04/25)
2. Final State Budget Reflects Priorities—and People—Michigan Policymakers are Willing to Support (07/24/24)
3. Despite International Alarms Over the Practice, Legislature Moving to Legalize Compensated Surrogacy Contracts (03/14/24)
4. Michigan Catholic Conference Helps Launch Statewide Campaign to Oppose Abortion-on-Demand Constitutional Proposal (05/24/22)
5. To Promote Dignity and Work, MCC Encourages Support for Proposed Increase to Michigan Earned Income Tax Credit (01/26/22)

Additional Resources

1. The Word from Lansing Column:
   1. Families Would Get Much-Needed Help Under Working Parents Tax Credit (06/20/25)
   2. The Infinite Dignity of Each Person Must Shape Our Public Policies (06/25/24)
   3. Public Policy Decisions Should ‘Go to the Margins,’ Too (04/17/24)
   4. In This Year’s Legislation and Budget, Make Family the Priority (02/09/24)
   5. Five Legislative Issues Catholics Should Know About in 2024 (01/09/24)
2. Proposal 1—Say No to Recreational Marijuana (Focus Essay, 10/2018)
3. Transportation, Community, and the Common Good (Focus Essay, 7/2016)
4. Confronting Violence in Society (Focus Essay, 9/2015)
5. Statement Regarding Decision Overturning Michigan’s Marriage Amendment (Michigan Bishops, 3/21/14)
6. Human Trafficking: Modern Day Slavery in Our Midst (Focus Essay, 2/2014)
7. A Call to Prayer for Life, Marriage, and Religious Liberty (USCCB Prayer Intention, 2013)
8. USCCB Initiative: For Your Marriage
9. USCCB Initiative: Por tu Matrimonio
10. USCCB Initiative: Marriage: Unique for a Reason

Advocacy

• Lansing Update:
  1. Tell Congress to Pass Transformational School Choice Legislation (05/02/25)
  2. Saying Goodbye to the Holy Father & Legislative News (04/25/25)
  3. School Safety and Vulnerable Adult Bills Advance Ahead of Sacred Triduum (04/17/25)
  4. Policy Day Brings Together Nonpublic School Leaders and Lawmakers (03/21/25)
  5. What the Early House Passage of a State Budget Means (03/14/25)
• Catholic Relief Services: Slavery and Human Trafficking
• USCCB: Anti-Trafficking Program
• Summary of 2014 Enacted Human Trafficking Laws
• MCC Testifies on Behalf of Human Trafficking Legislation in Senate Committee (11/13/13)
• Bulletin Insert: Children and Families Advocacy