2018

On the Death of Mr. Brian Whiston, Superintendent of Education

News Release / Posted May 14, 2018

A young female student looks at the camera while working on her school work

Members of the Michigan House of Representatives recently introduced eighteen bills to protect children and others from abuse. Over the next several weeks, these and other bipartisan measures will go before the House Law and Justice Committee for further consideration from lawmakers. To combat the appalling presence of sexual abuse in society, Michigan Catholic Conference will support legislation in the committee that protects children and creates safe environments.

The Central Michigan Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (CMPRSA) presented Michigan Catholic Conference (MCC) with four awards during the 2018 PACE Awards on Thursday evening, April 12. This year’s celebration, held at The Cadillac Room in Lansing’s REO Town, recognized mid-Michigan’s best public relations and communications tactics and campaigns produced during 2017. Michigan Catholic Conference received CMPRSA’s highest honor for excellence in public relations, the Pinnacle Award, in three categories: annual reports, newsletters, and video programs. Staff also received an Excellence Award in the websites category.

On March 14, 2018 the Michigan Senate approved a package of bills intended to, in part, address child sexual abuse in society. Several of the bills are supported by Michigan Catholic Conference, including legislation that would prospectively expand the criminal statute of limitations, expand the pool of mandatory reporters, enhance penalties against repeat abusers, and lengthen the sentences for those who deal in the heinous practice of child pornography. The Senate also passed legislation, Senate Bill 872, that would retroactively reopen the civil statute of limitations for public and private institutions in Michigan, a highly controversial measure opposed by nearly every sector of society in the state.

Five smiling children laying in the grass, their heads touching, looking up at the camera

The Michigan Senate is currently considering a package of bills that addresses sexual abuse in society. Michigan Catholic Conference urges lawmakers to pass key components of the package to ensure strong protections are in place for children, including those that prospectively expand the criminal statute of limitations, expand the pool of mandatory reporters, enhance penalties against repeat abusers, and lengthen the sentences for those who deal in the heinous practice of child pornography. At the same time, MCC continues to urge opposition to legislation that would retroactively reopen the civil statute of limitations.

On the Death of Mr. Brian Whiston, Superintendent of Education

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