Michigan Catholic Conference released the following statement after the Supreme Court of the United States ruled 5–4 in Espinoza v. Montana. The Court found unconstitutional that state’s policy to prohibit religious schools from equal access to a public education benefit. The full impact of the ruling on the State of Michigan and Article 8 Section 2 of the state constitution — Michigan’s “Blaine Amendment” — will require additional review and study. Read more…

In June Medical Services v. Russo, the U.S. Supreme Court narrowly ruled to strike down a Louisiana law requiring abortion doctors to have hospital admitting privileges. The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) decried the decision and its disregard for the health and safety of women. At the same time, USCCB renewed its commitment to fight for justice for mothers and children. Read more…

Michigan Catholic Conference is honored to have received from the Central Michigan Public Relations Society of Michigan (CMPRSA) three awards that recognize the organization’s efforts to communicate its public policy work. The awards include a first-place Pinnacle Award for an annual legislative report and two second-place Excellence Awards, one for an op/ed column and one for MCC’s FOCUS publication. Award winners were announced the evening of June 23, 2020 at an online ceremony. 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: Advocacy on Payday Lending Appreciated, State Lawmakers Leave for Short Recess; New Law Extends Telemedicine to Medicaid Recipients; MCC Supports Bills to Reduce Unnecessary Incarceration; Discussion Continues Around Police Training; Dual Enrollment Expansion Close to Governor's Desk; U.S. Bishops Celebrate Religious Freedom Week; Catholic Conference Offers Prayers for Father's Day. Read more…

Art Miller served the citizens of Macomb County in the Michigan Senate for over 25 years. Senator Miller, who was also a three-term Warren city councilman, was elected by his colleagues to be the Senate Democratic Leader on five occasions, beginning in 1985. A practicing Catholic, Senator Miller was a widely effective bipartisan legislator whose personality and kindness won over friends and lawmakers on both sides of the aisle. “He was a wonderful and faithful man,” reflected MCC President and CEO Paul A. Long. 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: USCCB Reacts to SCOTUS Ruling that Redefines ‘Sex’ in Federal Law; Fight for Dismemberment Abortion Ban Continues; MCC Supports Legislation to Protect Vulnerable Children; Bishops Welcome Supreme Court Decision on DACA; The Word from Lansing: Reflecting on Care for Our Common Home. Read more…

In May, Catholics celebrated the five-year anniversary of Pope Francis’s encyclical, Laudato Si’: On Care for Our Common Home. The document called for people of faith to respect the dignity of nature and of all living creatures. The Word from Lansing column highlights several themes articulated in the encyclical, their relevance today, and resources to help Michigan Catholics live out this teaching. 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: U.S. Catholic Bishops Speak Out Against Racism; MCC Offers Condolences in Death of Bishop Murray; Catholic Conference Supports Police Training Bills; Michigan Values Life Petition Signatures in Verification Process; Dual Enrollment Expansion Bills Continue to Senate Floor; Legislation Would Expand Medicaid Access to Telemedicine. Read more…

Upon hearing of the death of Bishop James A. Murray, Bishop Emeritus of the Diocese of Kalamazoo, Michigan Catholic Conference (MCC) wishes to extend to Most Reverend Paul Bradley, Bishop of the Diocese of Kalamazoo and the faithful of the Kalamazoo Diocese heartfelt condolences and prayers for the soul of Bishop Murray. Read more…

The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) commented yesterday on the death of George Floyd and the protests which have broken out in Minneapolis and in other cities in the United States. In this statement, the USCCB highlights the importance of listening to the experiences of those who have historically been disenfranchised, recognizing and calling out injustice, and taking actions against racism. 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: With House Passage, Payday Lending Bill Requires Continued Opposition; MCC Publishes Focus, Webpage to Highlight Laudato Si' Anniversary; 2020 Census: Your Voice is Needed. Read more…

Throughout the month of May, Catholics across the world have recognized the fifth anniversary of Pope Francis’s second encyclical, Laudato Si’: On Care for Our Common Home, issued from Rome in May of 2015. Michigan Catholic Conference has joined these efforts by developing and distributing materials for Catholic institutions and various secular bodies, including its venerable FOCUS publication along with numerous web-based resources. MCC’s efforts accompany recent public initiatives from the Catholic Church to widen the impact of the pope’s teaching, including Laudato Si’ Week and the Day of Common Prayer for Creation, which took place May 24. Read more…