Michigan Catholic Conference President and C.E.O. Paul A. Long today made the following statement regarding the death of the Most Reverend Patrick R. Cooney, bishop emeritus of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Gaylord. Read more…

As President Obama and Governor Romney prepare for their first debate this evening, Michigan Catholic Conference is releasing polling data that indicates overwhelming support for religious organizations to provide public services in accordance with their faith and without government interference. According to 600 likely Michigan voters, 80 percent of respondents answered in the affirmative to the following question: “Do you believe religious organizations in the U.S. should or should not have the freedom to provide educational and charitable assistance to the general public that is in accordance with their own religious beliefs and teachings, without government interference?” Read more…

The Michigan Catholic Conference Board of Directors earlier this week adopted a position to oppose Proposal 5, the ballot question that will ask Michigan voters if tax increases should only be approved with two-thirds support from both the Michigan House of Representatives and the State Senate. Read more…

Michigan Catholic Conference is applauding members of the Senate Judiciary Committee who voted today to support legislation that will better protect the health and safety of Michigan women who choose the path of abortion. House Bill 5711, which passed the committee by a vote of 3–1, seeks to ensure that unlicensed abortion businesses in Michigan become licensed and thereby inspected by state health officials. Read more…

News reports of a planned Capitol protest for Wednesday, July 18 by pro-abortion rights advocates signals the death of “safe, legal and rare” in Michigan, Michigan Catholic Conference stated today. The rally is in opposition to House Bill 5711, legislation that passed the Michigan House of Representatives in June with bipartisan support that would license non-licensed abortion clinics and inspect locations that have rarely or never been inspected. Read more…

As a panel appointed by Governor Snyder has met today to begin discussing a transition from the State School Aid Act of 1979 toward a “Michigan Education Finance Act of 2013,” Michigan Catholic Conference is encouraging its members and those participating to focus efforts on ensuring sufficient options are available for parents to choose an educational setting that best fits their children’s needs. Read more…

The Michigan House of Representatives today passed with overwhelming bipartisan support legislation that will address documented abortion clinic abuses and put in place measures to protect the health and safety of women who follow the path of abortion. Read more…

Michigan Catholic Conference has released a brief video message from Policy Advocate Rebecca Mastee speaking to House Bill 5711, the “omnibus” abortion bill that is slated for House passage, possibly in the coming hours. In the video, Mastee addresses the measures included in the bill and dispels frequently cited myths about the legislation. Read more…

Michigan Catholic Conference Policy Advocate Rebecca Mastee testified today before the House Health Policy Committee in support of legislation that will protect women from unacceptable and harmful abortion practices, facilities, and practitioners. The legislation, House Bill 5711, combines several existing bills into one “pro life omnibus” bill that addresses, in part, abortion clinic abuses that were discussed at a March 15th Senate subcommittee hearing. Read more…