MCC Updates

1. FOCUS: Promoting Religious Liberty Through Advocacy

   February 3, 2012: Grassroots advocacy remains a critical resource and a valuable opportunity for Catholics to urge public officials to enact policies that advance the common good and uphold the moral fiber of the state. While the Catholic Legislative Advocacy Network continues to grow in 2012, new and frightful legislative challenges have arisen. Regrettably, policies have surfaced at the congressional level, now funneling down to the state level, that obstruct the Catholic Church’s constitutional right to exercise its faith free from government intervention. Continue reading FOCUS: Promoting Religious Liberty Through Advocacy …

2. Action Alert! Contact Your U.S. Representative to Support Right of Conscience Act

   January 31, 2012: To correct the threats to religious liberty and rights of conscience posed by the recent HHS contraceptive mandate, the Respect for Rights of Conscience Act has been introduced in Congress (H.R. 1179, S. 1467). This measure will ensure that those who participate in the health care system "retain the right to provide, purchase, or enroll in health coverage that is consistent with their religious beliefs and moral convictions." It is more important than ever that Members of Congress be urged to co-sponsor this measure. Continue reading Action Alert! Contact Your U.S. Representative to Support Right of Conscience Act…

3. Lansing Update, January 27, 2012

   January 27, 2012: “Choose Life” License Plates May be Coming to Michigan; Senate Passes Resolution Honoring Catholic Schools Week. Continue reading Lansing Update, January 27, 2012…

4. State Senate Recognizes “Catholic Schools Week”

   January 27, 2012: The State Senate has voted to support a resolution that recognizes January 29 – February 5, 2012 as Catholic Schools Week. According to the Resolution: “The Catholic Church sees the parents as the primary educators and that parental supervision and involvement play a major role in the education of students.” Continue reading State Senate Recognizes “Catholic Schools Week”…

5. Lansing Update, January 20, 2012

   January 20, 2012: Federal Government Will Force Religious Employers to Purchase Contraceptive Coverage; MCC Testifies in Support of Shared Time/Dual Enrollment Legislation; Catholic Conference Urges Reform of Statewide Indigent Defense System. Continue reading Lansing Update, January 20, 2012…

6. U.S. Bishops Vow to Fight HHS Edict

   January 20, 2012: WASHINGTON—The Catholic bishops of the United States called “literally unconscionable” a decision by the Obama Administration to continue to demand that sterilization, abortifacients and contraception be included in virtually all health plans. Continue reading U.S. Bishops Vow to Fight HHS Edict…

7. U.S. Bishops Welcome Pope's Reaffirmation of Religious Liberty During Ad Limina Visit

   January 19, 2012: The U.S. bishops expressed praise and gratitude for the latest statement of Pope Benedict XVI on the need to protect religious liberty, which he delivered in an address January 19, to U.S. bishops gathered in Rome for their ad limina visits. “Of particular concern are certain attempts being made to limit that most cherished of American freedoms, the freedom of religion,” said Pope Benedict. “Many of you have pointed out that concerted efforts have been made to deny the right of conscientious objection on the part of Catholic individuals and institutions with regard to cooperation in intrinsically evil practices. Others have spoken to me of a worrying tendency to reduce religious freedom to mere freedom of worship without guarantees of respect for freedom of conscience.” Continue reading U.S. Bishops Welcome Pope's Reaffirmation of Religious Liberty During Ad Limina Visit…

   Additional Information

   • Text of Pope Benedict Speech on Religious Liberty

8. Catholic Conference Applauds Dual Enrollment Push in State of State Address

   January 18, 2012: Michigan Catholic Conference Vice President for Public Policy and Advocacy Tom Hickson made the following comments this evening after Governor Snyder urged the Michigan Legislature during the State of the State Address to pass dual enrollment legislation. Continue reading Catholic Conference Applauds Dual Enrollment Push in State of State Address…

9. LEGISLATIVE UPDATE: MCC Testifies in Support of Shared Time/Dual Enrollment Legislation

   January 18, 2012: Michigan Catholic Conference Vice President for Public Policy and Advocacy Tom Hickson and Policy Advocate Paul Stankewitz today testified before the House Education Committee in support of legislation that streamlines policies that benefit non-public school students. Continue reading LEGISLATIVE UPDATE: MCC Testifies in Support of Shared Time/Dual Enrollment Legislation …

10. Religious Leaders Join Together in Support of Marriage, Religious Liberty

    January 12, 2012: Leaders of some of the largest religious communities in the United States have joined together in an open letter to all Americans to voice their shared concern for marriage and religious freedom. Signatories include leaders from Anglican, Baptist, Catholic, Evangelical, Jewish, Lutheran, Mormon, and Pentecostal communities in the United States. Cardinal-designate Timothy Dolan, archbishop of New York and president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, was one of the four signing Catholic bishops. Continue reading Religious Leaders Join Together in Support of Marriage, Religious Liberty…

Recent MCC Updates

1. January 11, 2012: U.S. Bishops Hail Court Decision Upholding Religious Liberty
2. December 13, 2011: Bishops Renew Poverty USA Campaign in Response to Growing Domestic Poverty
3. December 13, 2011: Letter of the 33 Hispanic/Latino American Bishops to Immigrants
4. December 7, 2011: Catholic Organizations Respond to HHS “Preventive Services” Mandate
5. November 3, 2011: Letter from USCCB to U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee on Importance of Preserving DOMA
6. October 31, 2011: New Poll Indicates Overwhelming Statewide Support for School Choice
7. October 28, 2011: ACTION ALERT! U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee May Repeal Defense of Marriage Act
8. October 27, 2011: Statement in Support of Senate Passage of Education Reform Legislation
9. September 30, 2011: Lansing Update, September 30, 2011
10. September 28, 2011: Catholic Conference Urges Support for Education Reform Bills

Archived MCC Updates

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