For the first time, Focus — Michigan Catholic Conference’s quarterly publication that examines public policy issues through the lens of Catholic social teaching — is addressing the topic of gun violence with the hope of provoking thoughtful reflection for readers mindful of differing perspectives about guns and gun regulation. Read more…

The legislative majority and Gov. Gretchen Whitmer would be going against the will of Michigan voters — and for the Governor, her own stated position — if legislation advances to remove the requirement that parents give consent for their children to undergo abortion, according to polling data released today by Michigan Catholic Conference (MCC). Read more…

Michigan Catholic Conference responded with strong opposition to the legislative majority’s approval of Senate Bill 147, which would create an abortion mandate on employers in Michigan. MCC notes in its statement that it is wrong to push employers into providing employee benefits related to abortion if they offer paid maternity leave or insurance coverage for childbirth, and that the premise of equating childbirth to abortion offends human dignity. Read more…

MCC is urging the state House to oppose legislation approved by a House committee that would equate abortion with childbirth by requiring a range of employers to pay for elective abortions as part of their employee benefit plans if they are also providing benefits related to pregnancy or childbirth. Read more…

Legislation signed into law today by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer that has been portrayed as simply repealing Michigan’s abortion ban in reality goes much further by removing criminal penalties for killing a woman during an abortion and removing protections against unregulated abortion practices, according to this press release issued by the Michigan Catholic Conference (MCC)…

MCC applauded the House and Senate for passing legislation this week that requires the safe storage of guns in homes and expands background checks on the purchase of all guns, and expressed hope that the conversation around gun safety and awareness of the violence in society will lead to a greater appreciation for the value of all human life and the dignity that every person possesses from his or her conception as a child of God. Read more…

A majority of Michigan lawmakers are quickly moving a bill to force employers to pay for elective abortions as part of their employee benefit plans, a clear violation of the constitutionally protected rights of conscience for individuals, employers, and faith-based institutions and yet another example of continued abortion extremism in the Legislature. Read more…

MCC issued a statement against legislative efforts to end legal protections for unborn children and removing statutory language to protect women from harm, including penalties for administering an abortion that results in the death of the woman. Read more…

The Michigan House of Representatives voted to amend the state’s civil rights act that will likely create a right to target religious organizations for their teachings, beliefs and practices related to traditional marriage and biological gender differences, Michigan Catholic Conference stated after the vote. Read more…

Michigan Catholic Conference expressed disappointment today with the Senate voting to pass legislation that adds new categories to the state’s civil rights law without an amendment that protects religious organizations from discrimination, which MCC believes will lead to targeting of faith-based social service, educational and charitable organizations, and force small non-profit religious organizations into lengthy litigation in state courts. Read more…