Name
Michigan Catholic Conference
Phone
(800) 395-5565
Fax
(517) 372-3940
Address
510 S. Capitol Ave.
Lansing, MI 48933

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.

“It’s the duty of everyone to defend religious freedom and promote it for all people.” — Pope Francis

News Releases

  1. For Second Straight Year, MCC Presented with Three Top Awards for Excellence in Public Relations (04/22/19)
  2. Freedom to Serve Wins Top Award for Best PR Campaign (09/25/18)
  3. Catholic Church in Michigan Welcomes Settlement With Federal Government Over HHS Mandate Litigation (10/18/17)
  4. Michigan Catholic Conference Comments on Revised HHS Mandate (10/06/17)
  5. Catholic Conference Responds to National Efforts Challenging Michigan’s Adoption Legislation (09/20/17)

Additional Resources

  1. The Word from Lansing Column:
    1. Our Plan to Advance the Common Good This Legislative Session (02/03/23)
    2. Taxpayer Funding Should Not Pay for Abortions (06/18/21)
    3. Catholic Action Needed to Promote Life, Protect the Unborn (05/28/21)
    4. So-Called ‘Equality Act’ Threatens Society and Religious Communities (05/21/21)
    5. Support the Dignity of Human Life (07/19/19)
  2. Promoting Religious Freedom Through Interfaith Dialogue (Focus Essay, 6/2018)
  3. Freedom to Serve (Focus Essay, 9/2017)
  4. Conscience Rights, A Foundation for Democracy (Focus Essay, 6/2013)
  5. Forming Consciences for Religious Liberty (Focus Essay, 9/2012)
  6. Michigan Bishops Comment on HHS Lawsuit (Michigan Bishops, 6/2012)
  7. Legal Response to the HHS Mandate (Michigan Bishops, 5/2012)
  8. Promoting Religious Liberty Through Advocacy (Focus Essay, 2/2012)

MCC in the News

  1. Opinion: Nessel Threatens Religious Freedom (Detroit News, 04/30/19)
  2. Religious Discrimination is Wrong Too (Detroit News, 04/22/19)
  3. MCC CEO Long Elected to National Leadership Post (The Michigan Catholic, 09/20/18)
  4. ACLU’s ‘Petty Lawsuit’ Won’t Help Foster Children, Families Tell Court (Catholic News Agency, 03/08/18)
  5. Putting Faith in Focus—And Finding Middle Ground (Detroit News, 11/07/17)
  6. MCC ‘Pleased’ With Decision to Settle Lawsuit Against HHS Mandate (The Michigan Catholic, 10/18/17)
  7. Catholic Church Settles in Contraceptive Litigation (MIRS, 10/18/17)
  8. Michigan Lawsuit Could Imperil Religious Adoption Agencies (Catholic News Agency, 09/24/17)
  9. ACLU Sues Michigan on Adoption Legislation (MLive, 09/20/17)
  10. Facebook Post Puts Catholic Farmer in the Crosshairs of Anti-Bias Ordinance (National Catholic Register, 08/17/17)

Advocacy

For more information on religious liberty and the importance of conscience rights, visit www.usccb.org/conscience/.

Name
Michigan Catholic Conference
Phone
(800) 395-5565
Fax
(517) 372-3940
Email
Address
510 South Capitol Avenue
Lansing, Michigan 48933
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