Enacting common sense gun safety measures, increasing access to affordable homes, and allowing undocumented immigrants and refugees to obtain driver’s licenses are among the measures Michigan Catholic Conference will pursue this legislative session. As outlined in Blueprint for the Common Good, the Conference’s policy document for the 2023—24 Michigan legislative session that was released today.
MCC urged lawmakers to include protections for religious organizations in pending legislation to expand the state's civil rights act, noting that 22 other states that have expanded their civil rights laws have also included religious protections for people and institutions that believe in marriage between one man and one woman and the biological difference between men and women.
In a statement, MCC regonized the overwhelming bipartisan votes by both the state House and Senate this week to increase the state earned income tax credit to 30 percent and make it effective immediately for the 2022 tax year, a significant step forward for delivering immediate tax relief to working, lower-income Michigan families.
Michigan Catholic Conference issued a statement offering support for legislation that protects children from gun violence as well as an increase to a state tax policy that aids low-income workers in Michigan — both of which were mentioned by the Governor in her State of the State address this week — in recognition that these policies promote the dignity of human life and work.
Upon hearing of the death of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI at the age of 95, Michigan Catholic Conference President and CEO Paul A. Long offered the following reflections: “Together with the Catholic bishops and dioceses in Michigan, we offer our prayers for the soul of Benedict XVI and entrust the pope emeritus to the intercession of the Blessed Mother.”
Michigan Catholic Conference issued a statement in response to Proposal 3 that reiterates the Church’s ongoing mission to pray for and work toward a day where human life is welcomed as a gift and where abortion is considered an unthinkable option. MCC also expressed its heartfelt gratitude to bishops, clergy, religious and the Catholic faithful across Michigan for their bold and courageous stand to speak the truth in love through this campaign, as well as the outpouring of support and action from Catholic parishes and grassroots citizens.
A decision rendered by the Michigan Supreme Court yesterday usurps the legislature’s role in the democratic process, presents constitutional problems for people of faith, and places in jeopardy religious persons and entities who wish to serve others in the public square, Michigan Catholic Conference said in a statement today in response to the ruling made in the Rouch World v. Department of Civil Rights case.
With the official signing of next year's state budget, Michigan Catholic Conference highlighted the inclusion of resources to help the needy and students in nonpublic schools, but also lamented the veto of funding aimed at helping women and their unborn children.
Michigan Catholic Conference has responded to reports that Gov. Whitmer plans to veto more than $20 million to assist pregnant women in need, to promote adoption as an alternative to abortion, and to support pregnancy centers that help women who choose to carry their children to term.
Following the momentous and historic ruling from the Supreme Court in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization that overturns the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision — which to this day has resulted in the tragic loss of some 63 million unborn children nationally and more than 1.5 million children in Michigan — the eleven Catholic bishops in the state of Michigan have released a joint statement that expresses joy with the Court’s majority opinion while reaffirming the Catholic Church’s compassion and support for mothers in need.
