On January 27, President Donald Trump issued an executive order regarding the U.S. refugee admissions program. Among other aspects, the order essentially shuts down the program for 120 days, indefinitely suspends the resettlement of Syrian refugees, and calls for a temporary bar on admission to the United States from seven majority Muslim countries of particular concern. Bishop Joe Vasquez of Austin, chairman of the Committee on Migration for the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), stated that the Catholic Church, in collaboration with Catholic Charities, "will work vigorously to ensure that refugees are humanely welcomed without sacrificing our security or our core values as Americans." Read more…

From Sunday, January 29th through Saturday, February 4th, schools across the country are observing Catholic Schools Week with the theme of “Catholic Schools: Communities of Faith, Knowledge and Service.” Within the over two hundred Catholic schools in Michigan, students grow in knowledge and values that stay with them for the rest of their lives. In honor of this annual celebration, the Michigan House and Senate adopted House Resolution 9 and Senate Resolution 6, which recognize the many benefits Catholic schools provide for Michigan students and communities. Read more…

During National School Choice Week (January 22–28), Americans have been celebrating the wide variety of educational opportunities that provide parents with choices that make a difference for students. A recent poll shows that despite restrictions in Michigan’s Constitution, Michiganders widely support school choice. Dr. Brian Dougherty, superintendent of the Office of Catholic Schools in the Archdiocese of Detroit, and Dr. Bruce Braun, superintendent for the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod Schools of Michigan, wrote a column in The Detroit News emphasizing the important role school choice plays in providing quality options for kids in the city of Detroit. Read more…

On January 25, President Donald Trump issued two executive orders on immigration policy. In these orders, he called for the construction of a wall at the U.S./Mexico border, a significant increase in the number of immigrant detentions and deportations, and the denial of federal funding to sanctuary cities. The Committee Chair of Migration from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, Most Reverend Joe Vasquez of Austin, issued a statement opposing the new measures and expressing support for immigrant families. Read more…

From January 8–14, the Catholic Church has been celebrating National Migration Week 2017 to draw attention to the positive contributions of migrants, immigrants, refugees, and human trafficking victims in society. To celebrate this week, Pope Francis joined in a Los Angeles Mass on January 12 with a special video message. Cardinal Daniel DiNardo of Galveston-Houston, President of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), expressed solidarity with the Holy Father over the need to welcome and treat all with respect, regardless of their national origin or religion. He also called for comprehensive immigration reform and humane refugee policy. Read more…

The celebration of Christmas highlights the promises of faith through the Holy Family. The U.S. bishops encourage all to live out this faith with hope, love, and charity towards one another. Throughout the past year, people of goodwill have done just that, advocating for the needs of the marginalized in society and for the common good at the State Capitol. On behalf of the Michigan bishops and the Board of Directors, Michigan Catholic Conference would like to thank these individuals and wish all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Read more…

On December 12th the Church celebrates the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe and the Memorial of St Juan Diego. To commemorate the celebration this year, Most Reverend Allen H. Vigneron, Archbishop of Detroit and chairman of the MCC Board of Directors, released a powerful statement calling for the protection of immigrants and migrants, and urges elected officials to ensure the dignity of all human persons and the protection of families. Read more…

On Tuesday, November 29th, Most Reverend David Walkowiak, Bishop of the Diocese of Grand Rapids, offered the opening invocation to start the day’s session of the Michigan Senate. Bishop Walkowiak was a guest of State Senator Dave Hildenbrand, whose legislative district lies within the Grand Rapids diocese. Bishop Walkowiak was joined during the invocation by Lieutenant Governor Brian Calley, who is also from the Grand Rapids area and is president of the Senate. During his invocation, Bishop Walkowiak stated that “all authentic service on behalf of the common good and the dignity of all is based upon justice, truth, and love.”

Archbishop Joseph Kurtz of Louisville, the president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, congratulated President-Elect Donald Trump and others who were elected by the American people in the November 8th General Election. He also called for all to come together and heal divisions, saying that "now is the time to move toward the responsibility of governing for the common good of all citizens." Read more…

On Tuesday, November 8, Michiganders will vote on a number of races and ballot issues. Every candidate chosen on November 8 will make decisions that impact our communities, whether at the local, state, or federal level. Selecting candidates who are concerned with those most in need, the protection of human dignity, and the promotion of the common good should be an important priority. The Candidates, the Issues, and Your Vote provides some helpful questions to reflect upon before voting. View your local ballot…