A lack of civility has at times overtaken discussion about real issues in the 2016 election. Recently, reports indicating a desire by some to interfere in the internal life of the Church for political gain, as well as comments demeaning women, have raised further concerns for the American people. In an October 13 statement, the president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, Archbishop Joseph Kurtz of Louisville, emphasized a clear message: “The Gospel serves the common good, not political agendas.” He continues in the message to call on politicians, their staffs, and volunteers to hold themselves to higher standards and to respect the rights of people to live their faith without interference from the state. Read more…

Last month, the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights issued a report called Peaceful Coexistence: Reconciling Non-Discrimination Principles With Civil Liberties. Archbishop William E. Lori, Chairman of the USCCB’s Ad Hoc Committee for Religious Liberty, and Bishop Gregory J. Mansour of the Eparchy of Saint Maron of Brooklyn, joined leaders from diverse faiths in writing to President Barack Obama, Senate President Pro Tempore Orrin Hatch, and House Speaker Paul Ryan with concerns that the report stigmatizes religious individuals, communities, and faith-based institutions. Read more…

Each year in October, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) launches its Respect Life Program, which highlights the value of all human life. Cardinal Dolan, Archbishop of New York and chairman of the USCCB Committee on Pro-Life Activities, announced this year’s theme as Moved by Mercy, saying “everyone should be cherished and protected.” Materials developed for the program address assisted suicide, infertility, post-abortion healing, end-of-life care, attentiveness to God’s creation, and support for birthmothers. Read more…

On Tuesday, November 8, Michiganders will vote on candidates and issues at the local, state, and federal level. It is important for Catholics especially to consider the impact of their choices at the ballot box, especially as it pertains to protecting the dignity of human life, providing for the poor and vulnerable, and promoting the common good. In The Issues, the Candidates and Your Vote: Calling for Dignity in the Public Square, MCC provides information about the upcoming election, discusses conscience formation, and lists questions to consider before voting. Read more…

On September 9, 2016, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops submitted comments to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services objecting to mandated coverage of abortifacients, contraceptives and sterilizations in employer health plans. The comments responded to a request from the Department about how best to accommodate those organizations with religious objections to the coverage while still allowing those with no religious objections to obtain it. Read more…

In honor of the celebration of Labor Day, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops have released a statement recognizing the dignity of work and highlighting the connection between current economic pressures and stresses on the family. The statement from Archbishop Thomas Wenski of Miami, chairman of the Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development, provides a message of hope and solidarity from the Catholic Church for those experiencing isolation in today’s economy. Read more…

U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) and Catholic Relief Services (CRS) recently released a fourth video as part of a seven-part series on Catholic Social Teaching. This video highlights the importance of encountering and serving the marginalized in the community. The teachings of the Catholic Church call for individuals to meet the immediate needs of those who are struggling, while also addressing larger problems in society that are contributing to their circumstances. Watch now……

In light of recent incidents of violence and racial tension in communities across the United States, the president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops has invited all dioceses across the country to unite in a Day of Prayer for Peace in Our Communities. He has also appointed a special task force to support bishops in marking that Day of Prayer, and more broadly, in promoting peace and healing during this time of great strain on civil society. Read more…

“Disturbing new actions to force healthcare providers to participate in the destruction of human life cry out for an immediate federal remedy,” Cardinal Timothy Dolan and Archbishop William Lori wrote to Congress this week in support of the Conscience Protection Act of 2016. The Act would “ensure that those providing much-needed health care and health coverage can continue to do so without being forced by government to help destroy innocent unborn children.” The chairmen of the USCCB Committee on Pro-Life Activities and the Ad Hoc Committee for Religious Liberty citied in their letter three recent examples of government coercion on abortion: in New York, California and Washington State. In their call to enact the Conscience Protection Act, the bishops reference recent Fourth of July celebrations, urging Representatives to “uphold the rights to life and liberty which our Founding Fathers wisely asserted as most fundamental to our nation's existence.” Read more…

Religious freedom has been a cornerstone value throughout America’s history. Pope Francis recognized in his 2015 visit to the United States that “freedom remains one of America’s most prized possessions” and must be preserved and defended “from everything that would threaten or compromise it.” Over the last several years, dioceses around the United States have highlighted the importance of defending religious freedom through a two-week period of special events called the Fortnight for Freedom. This year, the Fortnight begins with Mass in Baltimore on June 21—the vigil of the feasts of St. John Fisher and St. Thomas More—and ends with a closing Mass in DC on July 4. These events will be televised nationwide on EWTN and the CatholicTV Network. The theme of this year’s event is “Witnesses to Freedom,” which highlights men and women of faith who have lived out their faith in the public realm, including the Little Sisters of the Poor. Read more…