Pope Benedict XVI announced today that he has selected Bishop Robert J. Carlson to become the 10th Ordinary and ninth Archbishop of Saint Louis. Carlson, 64, celebrated the 25th anniversary of his Episcopal ordination in January. He has served as the fifth bishop of the Diocese of Saginaw since 2005. [Link no longer available —Ed.]

A nationwide poll conducted on March 23–25 found that 87 percent of adults surveyed believe it is important to “make sure that healthcare professionals in America are not forced to participate in procedures and practices to which they have moral objections.” [Link no longer available —Ed.]

This week marks the 46th anniversary of Gideon v. Wainwright, a landmark Supreme Court ruling that ensures every American citizen is granted his or her constitutional right to legal representation, regardless of economic status. Unfortunately, Michigan’s approach to public defense is among the least effective in the nation and is in desperate need of reform. [Link no longer available —Ed.]

A broad-based coalition of organizations and individuals that includes the Michigan Catholic Conference launched a campaign this week to highlight the poor state of indigent legal defense that exists in Michigan. Read more…

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops has undertaken a post card campaign to raise awareness of legislation that would eliminate all restrictions on abortion across the country. Information about the post card campaign and why the “Freedom of Choice Act” must be defeated is available from the USCCB Office of Pro-Life Activities. Read more…

Michigan Catholic Conference has sent a letter to the Michigan congressional delegation asking for non-public schools to be treated equally regarding the disbursal of federal stimulus funds. Read more…

This FOCUS essay addresses the problems with Michigan's public defender system, cites Church teaching on the subject of crime and indigent defense, details those organizations supporting the Campaign for Justice, and provides additional resources. Read more…

Every two years the Michigan Catholic Conference Board of Directors approves an advocacy agenda for the forthcoming legislative session. Coordinated and implemented by Conference staff, the advocacy agenda for the 95th legislative session concentrates on eight policy categories: Religious Freedom, Human Life, Children and Families, Health Care, Education, Economic Justice and Regulatory Policies, Restorative Justice, and Federal Issues. Read more…