Transcript for “Action of Behalf of Justice”
The following transcript is of a 12-minute video commissioned for the Michigan Catholic Conference's 40th Anniversary, entitled “Action of Behalf of Justice.” The video provides information and interviews regarding the Conference's history and mission to serve all in the spirit of the Beatitudes. The video itself may be found on our “Media Gallery” page.
- Narrator
The Michigan Catholic Conference was formed by the Bishops in the early sixties — driven by a need to make the Church a voice heard throughout the state.
- Francis J. Coomes, Founding Executive Director, Michigan Catholic Conference
Cardinal Dearden was the driving force in creating the agenda for the Michigan Catholic Conference in its very beginning.
- Narrator
Since its founding, the Michigan Catholic Conference has grown, to become one of the largest and most influential organizations of its kind in the nation.
- Sr. Monica Kostielney, R.S.M., President and CEO, Michigan Catholic Conference
From its beginning, the main purpose of the Conference has been to overcome discriminatory practices in education and also civil rights.
- Narrator
Distinguished by its legacy of justice and life issues, the Conference continues to serve the state as the voice of the Church on public policy.
- Hon. James Ryan, United States Circuit Judge
The two primary purposes of the Michigan Catholic Conference are to formulate and implement public policy in the state of Michigan, and the second would be to supply administrative and supporting services to all the diocese in the state.
- Narrator
Over the course of forty years, what began with a small staff of five in [a] small house at 524 Townsend in Lansing — has grown to become a mission-driven organization, enriching the lives of the people of Michigan — by promoting sound public policy — by offering health, safety, security and protection for diocesan and parish employees and property — and, by reflecting the Church in the modern world.
- Narrator
The Michigan Catholic Conference was founded in 1963 for the purpose of advocating public policies, to benefit the material and moral well being of the people of Michigan.
The Conference is dedicated to promoting a social order that respects the dignity of the human person and serves the common good, in the spirit of the Beatitudes, and in accord with the teachings of the Catholic Church.
Governed by a 14-member board of directors — consisting of the Diocesan Bishops of the Province of Detroit, (and, seven other persons) — the Conference strives to serve its Gospel-mandated mission of justice — dedicated to integrity and excellence.
It is also committed to providing an impressive list of health and retirement benefits to Catholic Church employees across the state — from the Upper Peninsula to all of lower Michigan.
The Conference serves the seven dioceses in the state — with these state-of-the-art administrative and benefit services — through a sophisticated, area-wide information sharing system.
Rooted in Scripture and the principles of Catholic social teaching, the Conference strives to serve the common good in the spirit of the Beatitudes, and is dedicated to its Gospel Mission of Justice for all people.
Since its founding, the Conference has responded to an ever-changing culture with clear initiatives that reflect the timeless truths of the Catholic Church. This significant legacy points toward a long list of historic milestones.
Evolving early in the decade of the 1960's from the “Catholic Charities of Michigan” — the Michigan Catholic Conference became incorporated in 1963.
The Conference Constitution By-laws were adopted under Francis J. Coomes, founding executive director, who provided outstanding leadership for the Conference from its formative years until his retirement in 1971.
- Francis J. Coomes
We came to believe that we could help the people of Michigan understand the inequality of the present financing of public education in the state, and that led to a series of legislative proposals which were enacted beginning in '63 all the way up through '66 of the Fair School Bus Law
- Narrator
Known early for its positive course of action, the Conference issued a statement promoting civil rights — prior to the signing of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
And through tireless efforts, in 1965, the Conference and the Michigan Council of Churches received federal approval for joint operation of four migrant training and welfare centers in Michigan.
In 1965, Public Act 343 provided Auxiliary Services to non-public school students. Later, the Conference and non-public schools successfully advocated for enhancement of auxiliary services.
In 1966, the Lay Employees Retirement Plan was established for all Catholic school and parish employees in Michigan.
- Sr. Carol Quigley, I.H.M., Pension Board Member, Michigan Catholic Conference
I think it's interesting to note that Michigan Catholic Conference is the only conference that offers services of this sort and others. We have a unique and very strong role among the state conferences around the country.
- Narrator
Also, in June of 1967, the Third General meeting concluded with the dedication of a new building at 505 North Capitol.
In 1969, the first FOCUS newsletter was published and has proven its effectiveness, as a useful communications tool on important issues — even to this day.
In the next decade of the 70's, the Conference led the opposition against passing Proposal C, a Constitutional Amendment barring any form of direct or indirect aid for nonpublic schools.
- Francis J. Coomes
The opponents of that legislation put Proposal C on the ballot to amend the Constitution to prohibit any such aid from the state of Michigan and we were way ahead of our times in the state of Michigan to do that at that time.
- Narrator
Also in 1970, the Conference established statewide property and casualty — and healthcare programs.
Perhaps most notable during the 70s were considerable efforts by the Conference, in support of a public campaign against “abortion on demand.”
A successful ballot issue to exempt food and drugs from sales tax was actively supported by the Conference, in their efforts to help the poor by not taxing necessities.
- Deacon Wyatt Jones, Jr., Board Member, Michigan Catholic Conference
The Conference continues to proclaim the good news that they are important. They are of God. They are made in God's own image and likeness. And so this overlay of compassion finds its flow through everything that we do and everything that we attempt to put together institutionally for the good and the benefit of all people involved.
- Narrator
During the 1970s, the Conference supported passage of an education tax reform that included vouchers — but, Michigan's children lost out.
The 1980s saw a continued strong stand on life issues as the Conference worked to defeat Medicaid funding of abortions.
Other events during the period included the commissioning of a series of monographs entitled, “Action on Behalf of Justice,” to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of the work and services of the Conference.
- Sr. Carol Quigley, I.H.M.
For the future, I think these services will be more, not less, needed; and they include also serving as a lobby with — particularly with the state legislature to lobby for just employment practices, for fair distribution of state resources.
- Narrator
In the final decade of the 20th Century, Bishop Adam Joseph Maida was installed as Archbishop of Detroit in June of 1990 — and on November 26, 1994 Adam Cardinal Maida was elevated to the College of Cardinals in Rome.
During that same year the Conference successfully supported Proposal A — a ballot measure that increased the state sales tax from 4% to 6% — decreasing the burden to tax property for funding schools.
- Deacon Wyatt Jones, Jr.
The Conference needs to be there because, as issues emerge, they always have to be evaluated from the standpoint are they giving life or are they taking life away whether it be about family services, whether it be about assisted suicide, whether it be about how we spend our monies.
- Narrator
On July 1st, 1997 the Conference launched phase one of the “Areopagus” project, which, soon after, provided electronic connectivity for all diocesan offices throughout the state. And later, through the Gateway portal — to all parishes in Michigan. And, closing out the decade — opposed by the Conference — Proposal B, to legalize assisted suicide, was soundly defeated in 1998.
- Hon. James Ryan, United States Circuit Judge
A great many individuals and organizations were opposed to Proposal B, but the Michigan Catholic Conference provided the coordination and the leadership that opposition needed in order to defeat Proposal B, overwhelmingly.
- Narrator
In the new millennium, the Conference continued its support of educational choice, by supporting The “Kids First, Yes!” Proposal to amend the state Constitution. It sought to provide vouchers to students in failing school districts — but was defeated at the polls in another setback for Michigan school children.
In a bold move, the Conference saw to it that clergy were added to the child protection act in June of 2002.
Completed late in 2002, the Michigan Catholic Conference officially opened its new location in March of 2003 at 510 South Capitol Avenue in close proximity to the State Capitol — symbolizing its role as defender of justice for all.
The 21st Century also recognized the achievements of the Conference, celebrating 40 years of exploring and advocating for solutions to pressing social problems — and administering benefit services.
Looking to the future, the Michigan Catholic Conference continues its legacy, of speaking on behalf of two and a quarter million Catholics in Michigan. Although a great deal has been accomplished, there is much work to be done.
- Adam Cardinal Maida, Archbishop of Detroit
The culture keeps modifying itself and the Michigan Catholic Conference keeps giving us answers to the questions of the day. They keep giving us a direction which has a spiritual and religious dimension. Someone has to be there to advocate for those who have no voice. And, Michigan Catholic Conference is the voice of the people in so many of these issues.
- Narrator
With a renewed outlook, the Michigan Catholic Conference will continue working to improve the human condition — through Christ-centered efforts of peace and justice.
- Sr. Monica Kostielney, R.S.M.
We have much for which to be thankful. And as we celebrate the past, we look forward to the future, eager to embrace the challenges that lie ahead. We will continue to work for life, for the poor, for education. And we will do this in the spirit of the Beatitudes.
- Narrator
Developing public policy on education and life issues — administering health, safety, security and protection benefit services for diocesan and parish employees and properties — the Michigan Catholic Conference is firmly dedicated to continuing its Gospel Mission of Justice, and improving the quality of life for all people — with integrity and excellence.
