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Important information from Michigan Catholic Conference
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An introduction from Father Mike:
Election season is coming again. And, with it, come petition drives, seeking signatures to put something on the ballot.
Among this year's petition drives, three are particularly noteworthy. Two are supported by the Michigan Catholic Conference and the bishops because they would provide significant assistance to the poor. Another is opposed by MCC and the bishops because it would enshrine an unlimited right to abortion in the state constitution, just when the U.S. Supreme Court might be getting ready to return that question to the people of each state to decide through the legislative process.
As you know, the Church stays away from partisan politics and from taking a position on candidates for partisan or nonpartisan office. However, it is permissible for the Church to provide guidance on petitions and ballot proposals. Thus the guidance from MCC and the bishops.
As to the two petitions to assist the poor, here is information received from MCC:
From the Michigan Catholic Conference
Let Kids Learn: The Let MI Kids Learn petition drive is underway to promote educational justice legislation. Michigan children from low-income families would qualify for “Student Opportunity Scholarships” toward their out-of-pocket educational costs at public or nonpublic schools for tutoring, school supplies, computers, and tuition among other expenses. Donors to scholarship organizations would receive a state tax credit. Low-income parishioners and members of our community would benefit from this initiated legislation, regardless of where they send their children to school. The petitions would place this proposal before the legislature, and, if approved, would not require the governor’s signature to become law. As this is a nonpartisan effort, Catholic parishes and schools are allowed to circulate petitions. The Catholic Bishops of Michigan support this effort. Please prayerfully consider signing the two required petitions to create the scholarship program and tax credits to improve the education of Michigan’s school children.
Further details are available through the Michigan Catholic Conference
https://www.votervoice.net/iframes/MICATHOLIC/newsletters/44206
More from Father Mike: The other petition news, unfortunately, is far more grim. Many of you saw this week the analysis offered by Jenny Ingles, Director of Fertility and Life Ministries at the Diocese of Lansing. It would be hard to improve on what she has written --
From Jenny Ingles
Fight Like HeavenWhile many of us are eagerly anticipating the US Supreme Court will rule favorably on the side of life in the Dobbs Case, the pro-abortion side is taking proactive steps to enshrine abortion at all stages in the Michigan Constitution.
Planned Parenthood and the ACLU are actively collecting signatures for the “Reproductive Freedom for All” petition which seeks an Amendment to our Michigan Constitution. They need only 450,000 signatures by July 11th for this to appear on this November’s ballot.
This petition would protect abortion as a fundamental right that cannot be restricted and would be allowed at any stage of pregnancy. This would have the effect of eliminating many of Michigan’s existing abortion limitations, including parental consent requirements for minors seeking abortion, screening measures designed to protect women from being coerced into having an abortion, and safety requirements for abortion facilities.
Please DO NOT SIGN this petition and EDUCATE your parishioners about this petition.In his letter published in FAITH Magazine this month, Bishop Boyea stated that signing it “is to place oneself in danger of grave or mortal sin because of this active and direct cooperation with evil.”
Resources for your parish to educate parishioners, including social media and Flocknote blasts are available on our Decline to Sign Webpage: https://www.dioceseoflansing.org/decline- to-sign
In addition, Governor Whitmer and Planned Parenthood of Michigan announced separate lawsuits last week that aim to preserve abortion in Michigan. Governor Whitmer’s lawsuit seeks to circumvent a Michigan law that protects pregnant women and unborn persons from the harms of abortion.
The lawsuit also seeks to reinterpret Michigan’s Constitution, which is silent on the subject of abortion, to protect abortion as a constitutional right. The governor falsely frames her endeavor as an attempt to preserve women’s health and healthcare. However, true healthcare does not seek to end life. True healthcare seeks to preserve life and health, both of the mother and the unborn child.
Governor Whitmer argues that abortion is the answer to women who are pregnant and in crisis. Yet, this “answer” ends the life of the child and assumes that the mother suffers no harm from it. Experts have demonstrated that abortion causes long-term emotional and mental trauma for mothers. And abortion always ends in death.
Women who are pregnant and in crisis should be met with empathy, compassion, resources, and medical treatment that allows both mother and child to thrive, and assistance in raising their children or placing them for adoption.
Let us Walk with Moms in NeedYou can order this beautiful piece for your parish for FREE from the Michigan Catholic Conference by calling (800) 395-5565 or emailing kmay@micatholic.org.
Please register at at https://www.dioceseoflansing.org/WWMN if you are interested in helping start a Walking with Moms chapter in your parish/grouping.
Most importantly, Bishop Boyea has responded to Governor Whitmer’s lawsuit and pronouncement that she will “Fight Like Hell” to preserve abortion. Bishop has asked all of us to “Fight Like Heaven” and participate in a Holy Week of Prayer, Fasting and Almsgiving.
His letter is here: https://www.dioceseoflansing.org/news/ read-fight-heaven-bishop- boyeas-response-governors-pro- abortion-legal-move
We have also built an accompanying Fight Like Heaven Webpag:
https://www.dioceseoflansing.org/fight-like-heaven that includes excerpts from his letter and the ways he is specifically asking us to pray, fast, and give alms, as well as social media and Flocknote graphics for you to use at the bottom of the page under “Parish Resources”.
Please consider sending a special edition Flocknote to your parishioners to help spread Bishop's call to Fight Like Heaven!
Yours in Christ, Jenny
