Strengthening Marriages and Families

Marriage and family life is the core social institution, directed toward establishing a foundation of success for children.

The institution of marriage between one man and one woman and the raising of children should be encouraged and supported. At the same time, attention and resources should be directed toward situations where the family structure has broken down and negatively impacted children.

To strengthen marriage and family life and promote the wellbeing of children in all circumstances, MCC supports:

• Promoting the traditional definition of marriage as the union of one man and one woman.
• Protecting and promoting the stability of marriage and the institution of the family, including protecting parental rights.
• Strengthening the long-standing relationship between the State of Michigan and nonprofit agencies in the provision of child placement services.
• Combating human trafficking, domestic violence, and abuse of vulnerable persons.
• Supporting and promoting adoption and improving foster care.

Foundational Documents

• Catechism of the Catholic Church (369–373, 1601–1666, 2201–2213, 2331–2336, 2357–2379)
• Evangelii Gaudium (Pope Francis, 2013)
• Love and Life in the Divine Plan (U.S. Bishops, 2009)
• Ecclesia in America (John Paul II, 1999)
• Familiaris Consortio, 45 (John Paul II, 1981)
• Gaudium et Spes, 50 (Paul VI, 1965)

News Releases

1. Final State Budget Reflects Priorities—and People—Michigan Policymakers are Willing to Support (07/24/24)
2. Despite International Alarms Over the Practice, Legislature Moving to Legalize Compensated Surrogacy Contracts (03/14/24)
3. Michigan Catholic Conference Helps Launch Statewide Campaign to Oppose Abortion-on-Demand Constitutional Proposal (05/24/22)
4. To Promote Dignity and Work, MCC Encourages Support for Proposed Increase to Michigan Earned Income Tax Credit (01/26/22)
5. Statement on Proposed Ballot Effort to Enshrine Abortion in Michigan’s Constitution (01/07/22)

Additional Resources

1. The Word from Lansing Column:
   1. The Infinite Dignity of Each Person Must Shape Our Public Policies (06/25/24)
   2. Public Policy Decisions Should ‘Go to the Margins,’ Too (04/17/24)
   3. In This Year’s Legislation and Budget, Make Family the Priority (02/09/24)
   4. Five Legislative Issues Catholics Should Know About in 2024 (01/09/24)
   5. Twenty Years After Charter, Church is a Safe Place for Children (09/15/23)
2. Proposal 1—Say No to Recreational Marijuana (Focus Essay, 10/2018)
3. Transportation, Community, and the Common Good (Focus Essay, 7/2016)
4. Confronting Violence in Society (Focus Essay, 9/2015)
5. Statement Regarding Decision Overturning Michigan’s Marriage Amendment (Michigan Bishops, 3/21/14)
6. Human Trafficking: Modern Day Slavery in Our Midst (Focus Essay, 2/2014)
7. A Call to Prayer for Life, Marriage, and Religious Liberty (USCCB Prayer Intention, 2013)
8. USCCB Initiative: For Your Marriage
9. USCCB Initiative: Por tu Matrimonio
10. USCCB Initiative: Marriage: Unique for a Reason

Advocacy

• Lansing Update:
  1. Catholic Advocacy for Immigrants at the Capitol (11/15/24)
  2. Forming a Catholic Conscience Before Voting (10/25/24)
  3. Let Faith Inform Your Political Participation (10/18/24)
  4. A Silver Lining for Religious Conscience Rights in Recent Supreme Court Ruling (06/14/24)
  5. Update on Budget Items of Interest to Catholics (06/07/24)
• Catholic Relief Services: Slavery and Human Trafficking
• USCCB: Anti-Trafficking Program
• Summary of 2014 Enacted Human Trafficking Laws
• MCC Testifies on Behalf of Human Trafficking Legislation in Senate Committee (11/13/13)
• Bulletin Insert: Children and Families Advocacy