Protecting Religious Liberty and the Freedom to Serve
For freedom Christ set us free…serve one another through love
Faith-based organizations provide services to the needy and contribute to the common welfare of society through institutions like schools and hospitals. Faith is what animates these providers to serve and is the foundational dimension of their identity.
In accordance with the freedom to exercise religion enshrined in the U.S. constitution, faith-based providers should be free to operate according to their religious beliefs when serving in the public square.
To protect the freedom to serve inherent in the right to religious liberty, MCC supports:
- Freedom for faith-based providers, institutions, and individuals to serve the general public according to their religious tradition and without interference from the government.
- Opposition to government regulations and mandates that violate the long-standing religious practices of faith-based organizations and individuals.
- Policies that proactively promote religious freedom.
News Releases
- For Second Straight Year, MCC Presented with Three Top Awards for Excellence in Public Relations (04/22/19)
- Freedom to Serve Wins Top Award for Best PR Campaign (09/25/18)
- Catholic Church in Michigan Welcomes Settlement With Federal Government Over HHS Mandate Litigation (10/18/17)
- Michigan Catholic Conference Comments on Revised HHS Mandate (10/06/17)
- Catholic Conference Responds to National Efforts Challenging Michigan’s Adoption Legislation (09/20/17)
Additional Resources
- The Word from Lansing Column:
- Our Plan to Advance the Common Good This Legislative Session (02/03/23)
- Taxpayer Funding Should Not Pay for Abortions (06/18/21)
- Catholic Action Needed to Promote Life, Protect the Unborn (05/28/21)
- So-Called ‘Equality Act’ Threatens Society and Religious Communities (05/21/21)
- Support the Dignity of Human Life (07/19/19)
- Promoting Religious Freedom Through Interfaith Dialogue (Focus Essay, 6/2018)
- Freedom to Serve (Focus Essay, 9/2017)
- Conscience Rights, A Foundation for Democracy (Focus Essay, 6/2013)
- Forming Consciences for Religious Liberty (Focus Essay, 9/2012)
- Michigan Bishops Comment on HHS Lawsuit (Michigan Bishops, 6/2012)
- Legal Response to the HHS Mandate (Michigan Bishops, 5/2012)
- Promoting Religious Liberty Through Advocacy (Focus Essay, 2/2012)
MCC in the News
- Opinion: Nessel Threatens Religious Freedom (Detroit News, 04/30/19)
- Religious Discrimination is Wrong Too (Detroit News, 04/22/19)
- MCC CEO Long Elected to National Leadership Post (The Michigan Catholic, 09/20/18)
- ACLU’s ‘Petty Lawsuit’ Won’t Help Foster Children, Families Tell Court (Catholic News Agency, 03/08/18)
- Putting Faith in Focus—And Finding Middle Ground (Detroit News, 11/07/17)
- MCC ‘Pleased’ With Decision to Settle Lawsuit Against HHS Mandate (The Michigan Catholic, 10/18/17)
- Catholic Church Settles in Contraceptive Litigation (MIRS, 10/18/17)
- Michigan Lawsuit Could Imperil Religious Adoption Agencies (Catholic News Agency, 09/24/17)
- ACLU Sues Michigan on Adoption Legislation (MLive, 09/20/17)
- Facebook Post Puts Catholic Farmer in the Crosshairs of Anti-Bias Ordinance (National Catholic Register, 08/17/17)
Advocacy
- Lansing Update:
- MCC Champions Historic Tax Cut for Working Poor Into Law (03/10/23)
- MCC Active on Three High-Profile Legislative Issues This Week (03/03/23)
- Grassroots Momentum for Religious Freedom Continues as Muslim Group Joins MCC Effort (02/24/23)
- Gun Safety Measures Top of Legislature’s Mind After MSU and more… (02/17/23)
- MCC Urging Religious Protections in Civil Rights Bill and more… (02/10/23)
- Video: Protect the Work of Faith-Based Adoption and Foster Care Agencies (2015)
- Bulletin Insert: Religious Liberty Advocacy
- Poll: Voters Overwhelming Support Religious Liberty in the Provision of Services (9/2012)
For more information on religious liberty and the importance of conscience rights, visit www.usccb.org/conscience/.