MCC Updates

Recent MCC Updates

Archived MCC Updates

For additional MCC Updates, please visit our “MCC Updates Archives” page.

Religious Liberty

New Attacks on Religious Freedom... ...Church Leaders Respond
Take Action: Oppose Attacks on Religious Liberty

Michigan Catholic Leaders Respond to Attack on Religious Liberty and Conscience Rights

Bishops Stand Unequivocally Against Unjust HHS Mandate

On February 10, 2012, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) contraceptive mandate permanently entered the federal record “without change.” This means, despite President Obama’s appearance of “accommodation” that same day, religious employers, including the Michigan Catholic Conference, may soon be forced by the federal government to pay for health benefit plans that include abortion-inducing drugs, sterilization and artificial contraception.

In response to HHS’s intrusion into religious liberty and conscience rights, those in the Catholic community and all people of goodwill are asked to do the following:

Archbishop Vigneron Speaks on HHS Mandate

More Background

On January 20, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) reaffirmed a rule forcing virtually all private health care plans to cover sterilization, abortifacients, and contraception. These are listed among “preventive services for women” that all health plans will have to cover without co-pays or other cost-sharing—regardless of whether the insurer, the employer or other plan sponsor, or even the woman herself objects to such coverage.

The exemption provided for “religious employers” was so narrow that it failed to cover the vast majority of faith-based organizations—including Catholic hospitals, universities, and charities—that help millions every year. Ironically, not even Jesus and his disciples would have qualified for the exemption, because it excludes those who mainly serve people of another faith.

On February 10, the Obama Administration made this rule final “without change”; delayed enforcement for a year against religious nonprofits that were still not exempted (our charities, hospitals, and colleges); and promised to develop more regulations to “accommodate” them by the end of that additional year. But that promised “accommodation” still forces them to pay for “services” that violate their religious convictions.

  • The original rule that violated our religious liberty so severely has not been changed, but finalized.
  • HHS has promised some kind of “accommodation,” but only after the election.
  • The promised “accommodation”—even at its best—would still force our institutions to violate their beliefs.
  • There is no exemption for objecting insurers, secular employers, for-profit religious employers, or individuals.
Additional Resources

Ad Limina 2012

  • Ad Limina 2012
  • Ad Limina 2012
  • Ad Limina 2012
  • Ad Limina 2012
  • Ad Limina 2012
  • Ad Limina 2012
  • Ad Limina 2012
  • Ad Limina 2012
  • Ad Limina 2012
  • Ad Limina 2012
  • Ad Limina 2012
  • Ad Limina 2012
  • Ad Limina 2012
  • Ad Limina 2012

Statement on Immigration

Michigan Capitol Building Dome

Justice for Immigrants

Justice for Immigrants logo

About MCC

Founded in 1963, the Michigan Catholic Conference serves as the official voice of the Catholic Church in Michigan on matters of public policy. In addition, the Michigan Catholic Conference develops, coordinates, and manages programs that provide retirement benefits, health, dental, disability, and life insurance coverage for lay employees and clergy, as well as property and casualty coverage for the Church throughout Michigan. Read more about MCC…