News Release: Citing Likely Impact on Canon Law, Catholic Conference Urges Opposition to Anti-Foreign Law Legislation

(Lansing)—Michigan Catholic Conference President and C.E.O. Paul A. Long is speaking in opposition today to House Bill 4769, legislation intended to prohibit the application of foreign law in Michigan. Michigan Catholic Conference is strongly opposed to this bill because of its likely impact on the application of Catholic canon law in the state. Long’s comments are being released following an event that was held today at the Anderson House Office Building in Lansing where supporters of the bill are aiming to prohibit Muslim Sharia in Michigan.

“Any measure that could have the impact of interfering with the internal life of the Catholic Church shall be viewed as an attack on religious liberty itself and must be opposed,” said Long. “It is the hope of the Michigan Catholic Conference that discussions pertaining to this legislation will foster a deeper awareness of and appreciation for religious liberty and the contributions religious communities make to the common good of society.”

Canon law is the juridical structure that facilitates the life and governance of the Roman Catholic Church, under the direction of the Pope. These laws address a broad range of matters—from church structure and authority, doctrine, the formation and appointment of pastors, the establishment of parishes, care for items used in sacred worship and norms regarding Catholic schools. In fact, Catholic canon laws pre-date and are the basis for much of the common law and statutory system that eventually became normative for the western world, including the United States.

Michigan Catholic Conference is the official public policy voice of the Catholic Church in this state.

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