MCC Updates

Catholic Health Leaders Offer Guiding Principles for Medicaid Reform

Tue, 14 May 2013 19:49:00 +0000

Leaders of the state’s largest religious community and network of health care providers today are offering through a joint statement their guiding principles for Medicaid reform as the House Committee on Michigan Competitiveness meets to begin its discussion on proposed reform policies. Signed by Michigan Catholic Conference, Trinity Health, Ascension Health-Michigan, and OSF St. Francis Hospital & Medical Group, the statement explains that reforming Medicaid in an acceptable manner is “a noble endeavor” that will benefit future generations and the state as a whole. Read more…

Catholic Conference Applauds Senate Members for Human Trafficking Awareness

Thu, 02 May 2013 13:58:00 +0000

It has been estimated that approximately 150 women in Michigan under the age of 18 are sold into sex trafficking each month, and Michigan Catholic Conference is applauding four members of the Michigan Senate for raising awareness to this “scourge of evil.” “Michigan Catholic Conference is supportive of and thankful for the efforts of this bipartisan legislative day to raise awareness about the horrors of human trafficking, which Blessed John Paul II referred to as a ‘scourge of evil,’” said Michigan Catholic Conference Policy Advocate Rebecca Mastee. “It is imperative to raise the collective level of consciousness in Michigan about this issue as human trafficking is an appalling crime against the fundamental rights and dignity of the human person.” Read more…

Human Trafficking Awareness Day May 2 at the Capitol

Thu, 25 Apr 2013 13:39:32 +0000

On Thursday, May 2, the women of the Michigan Senate will host a bipartisan legislative day to raise awareness to the problem of human trafficking in Michigan and throughout the country. It is estimated that approximately 150 women under the age of 18 are sold into sex trafficking each month in the state. This is a horrible crime against the fundamental rights and dignity of the human person. Michigan Catholic Conference supports the efforts of the Senators and invites interested persons to join the May 2 legislative day in Lansing. Read more…

Grand Rapids Diocese Announces Father David Walkowiak Will Succeed Bishop Hurley

Thu, 18 Apr 2013 19:39:00 +0000

The Diocese of Grand Rapids announced April 18 that Father David John Walkowiak, a priest from the Diocese of Cleveland, Ohio, will succeed Bishop Walter Hurley as the 12th bishop of the diocese. Bishop-elect Walkowiak will be ordained to the episcopacy June 18, 2013 at the Cathedral of St. Andrew in Grand Rapids. “I am grateful to Pope Francis for entrusting me with this apostolic office as bishop of the Diocese of Grand Rapids,” said Bishop-Elect Walkowiak. “In accepting this appointment I renew my trust in the Lord who asks me to set out again on a new mission. I thank God for providing me with the opportunity to serve this local church, which I pray will be a blessing to its people.” Read more…

U.S. Bishops' Conference Welcomes Immigration Proposal, Urges Work Toward Basic Rights and Dignity

Wed, 17 Apr 2013 18:35:59 +0000

WASHINGTON—The introduction of U.S. Senate bipartisan legislation to reform the U.S. immigration system was welcomed by Archbishop José H. Gomez of Los Angeles, chairman of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) Committee on Migration, April 17. “I welcome the introduction of legislation today in the U.S. Senate,” Archbishop Gomez said. “The U.S. bishops look forward to carefully examining the legislation and working with Congress to fashion a final bill that respects the basic human rights and dignity of newcomers to our land—migrants, refugees, and other vulnerable populations.” Read more…

USCCB Religious Liberty Chair Backs HHS Mandate Opponents

Mon, 08 Apr 2013 15:22:29 +0000

On Monday, April 8, Archbishop William E. Lori, archbishop of Baltimore and chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' Ad Hoc Committee for Religious Liberty, expressed "deep gratitude" and "solidarity and appreciation" for litigants challenging the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services objectionable mandate. In voicing his support for bishops and other Catholic entities, he noted that "Their goal is nothing less than securing the freedom of the Church to continue to obey the Lord’s command—and, in turn, to serve the common good—by providing charitable ministries in health care, education, and service to the poor, all without compromising Catholic beliefs." Read more…

Why Traditional Marriage is Good for Society

Mon, 25 Mar 2013 15:57:00 +0000

The U.S. Supreme Court this week is expected to hear arguments related to Proposal 8, a 2008 California constitutional amendment that defines marriage as between one man and one woman. The court is also expected to hear arguments related to the federal Defense of Marriage Act, which defines marriage as between one man and one woman in federal law. The Supreme Court's decision on each of these cases is critically important as efforts to redefine the institution of marriage are well underway. To better understand the Church's teaching on why marriage between one man and one woman is best for society, especially children, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops offers this "Why Marriage Matters" document. Read more…

Lawsuit Over HHS Mandate 'Simply Delayed,' Catholic Conference CEO Says of Order to Dismiss

Sat, 23 Mar 2013 16:18:00 +0000

Following an order to dismiss late Friday afternoon, a federal judge has simply delayed, rather than ruling on the merits of, a lawsuit filed by the Michigan Catholic Conference (MCC) against the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' objectionable services mandate. The lawsuit was filed May 21, 2012 in order to prevent the federal government from requiring MCC to include abortion-inducing drugs, artificial contraception and sterilization in its employee health benefit plan. The following is a statement from Michigan Catholic Conference President and CEO Paul A. Long. Read more…

SB 136 Strikes Balance Between Religious Liberty Rights, Health Care Needs

Thu, 21 Mar 2013 14:26:59 +0000

Michigan Catholic Conference today is applauding the Senate Health Policy Committee for passing legislation that protects religious liberty rights of those who purchase health care, work in health care or operate health care institutions. The legislation now heads to the full Senate for consideration. Read more…

Welcome His Holiness Pope Francis

Wed, 13 Mar 2013 19:56:00 +0000

Michigan Catholic Conference President and CEO Paul A. Long made the following statement today following the election of Pope Francis as the 266th successor of St. Peter: "With a profound sense of happiness and joy, Michigan Catholic Conference welcomes the election of Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio as His Holiness Pope Francis. We pause to celebrate and give thanks for the power and presence of the Holy Spirit that worked throughout the papal conclave. We offer our prayers that Pope Francis will guide the Church with love toward universal peace and salvation, and that the Holy Spirit will continue to inspire all elected officials to promote the common good for all people." Read more…