Focus / Posted August 30, 2024
Catholics can be a light to this state and the nation by allowing the truths of the faith to inform their voting decisions. This edition of Focus is intended to help Catholics in Michigan embrace the vocation of a faithful citizen in the 2024 election and beyond by putting on “the mind of Christ” before voting.
Lansing Update / Posted September 27, 2024
The Legislature convened this week to pass a bill with school safety funding, but nonpublic schools were left behind. Find out what you can do next to continue advocating for enhanced school safety for all students in this week’s Lansing Update.
Lansing Update / Posted September 20, 2024
As the election approaches, MCC is inviting Catholic Advocacy Network members to a webinar on faithful citizenship and how to approach voting with a Catholic perspective. Also this week, grassroots advocates were urged to contact their lawmakers to approve more student safety funding.
Lansing Update / Posted September 6, 2024
As the November 2024 election approaches, Catholics are reminded to vote as faithful citizens with a well-formed conscience. To assist in this, MCC announced the release of its latest edition of Focus and an election resources website for Catholics to help prepare to vote. Also, the Church this week remembers the life of St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta, who cared for the poor and vulnerable and spoke out against abortion.
The Word from Lansing / Posted September 3, 2024
Catholic voters are invited to begin their approach to the election by forming their consciences according to the teachings of the Church, which along with praying for insight and acting on this process of formation is at the crux of MCC’s newest edition of Focus, which is now available in print and online.
These nine advocacy principles originate from Catholic social teaching and the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Within each principle are specific policy priorities MCC brings to dialogue that occurs at the state Capitol.
Every human being is created in the image and likeness of God. Human life is sacred, and the dignity of the human person is the foundation of a moral vision for society.
All people must have access to basic human needs to ensure they can live in a dignified manner, with a particular concern for the poor, the vulnerable, and anyone who goes without those basic needs.
Faith-based organizations provide services to the needy and contribute to the common welfare of society through institutions like schools and hospitals. Faith is what animates these providers to serve and is the foundational dimension of their identity.
Education is essential for the betterment of society by providing opportunities for children and adults to reach their fulfillment.
Marriage and family life is the core social institution, directed toward establishing a foundation of success for children.
Access to affordable and adequate healthcare is a basic human necessity required for upholding the dignity of human life.
The human dignity of both the crime victim and the offender should be acknowledged within the criminal justice system when considering punishment and the capacity for rehabilitation.
The human dignity of the immigrant, the refugee and the asylee—regardless of personal circumstances, background, or even legal status—must not be forgotten when considering how to manage immigration practices.
Environmental stewardship has a moral dimension, particularly in the recognition of the impact that environmental deterioration has on people, families, and the poor.
The Church’s social teaching is a rich treasure of wisdom about building a just society and living lives of holiness amidst the challenges of modern society. Modern Catholic social teaching has been articulated through a tradition of papal, conciliar, and episcopal documents. The depth and richness of this tradition can be understood best through a direct reading of these documents. In these brief reflections, we wish to highlight several of the key themes that are at the heart of our Catholic social tradition.
