Lansing Update: Saying Goodbye to the Holy Father & Legislative News
Posted April 25, 2025
The Church Says Farewell to Francis
This week, Pope Francis completed his earthly pilgrimage and went home to the Lord, prompting the Church and the world to mourn the loss of the Holy Father and reflect on his 12-year pontificate.
In a statement issued this week, Michigan Catholic Conference President and CEO Paul A. Long offered his prayers for the soul of Pope Francis and expressed gratitude for the Holy Father’s “tireless voice of concern and advocacy for marginalized people across the world and in our communities.”
Long also referenced the late Pope’s call to reject “a throwaway culture that devalues and discards any perceived imperfection of human life” and noted that Francis used his platform to amplify “Church teaching for elected leaders and those in positions of power to protect the elderly, the unborn, and the many migrants and refugees searching for a life free from violence and fear.”
Each of the Catholic bishops who lead Michigan’s seven dioceses offered their condolences and reflections in their own statements this week, and several offered Masses for the repose of the soul of Pope Francis. The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops has a dedicated webpage of tributes to the Pope and other resources honoring the 265th Successor of St. Peter.
Pope Francis’ funeral Mass is set for 10 a.m. Saturday in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican. From there, the Church’s tradition of nine days of mourning will commence, known as novendiales, which will run through May 4.
The death of the Holy Father, which took place early Easter Monday, April 21, begins a period of transition for the Church as the College of Cardinals will soon consider a new successor to the Chair of St. Peter. For an exhaustive guide on how this process works, see this resource from Vatican News.
MCC: Bills Create Perception Immigrants Aren’t Welcome in Michigan
Immigrants in Michigan might be more reluctant to interact with local law enforcement under legislation approved by a House committee this week, which could leave them vulnerable to crime and exploitation, MCC said in testimony.
The House Government Operations Committee took up three bills that together would prohibit local governments from enacting any policies that prohibit, according to the bill description, “communicating or cooperating with appropriate federal officials concerning the immigration status of an individual in Michigan.”
MCC officially took a neutral stance on the legislation and has done so in previous iterations of this policy, which is often referred to a ban on “sanctuary cities.” It should be noted that MCC, in accordance with Catholic social tradition, supports upholding the rule of law and does not condone or encourage illegal immigration.
In sharing testimony with the committee, MCC did note concerns with legislation that pertain to the Catholic interest of promoting and protecting the dignity of all individuals, including immigrants and refugees.
For instance, the enactment of the legislation may send a signal to immigrants in Michigan that contact with local government and law enforcement officers should be avoided, as MCC stated that it’s important for immigrants to feel comfortable cooperating with law enforcement if they witness a crime. In addition, MCC pointed out that immigration policy and enforcement is a federal issue, not a state legislative issue.
On a broader level, MCC pointed out enactment of such legislation may signal that Michigan is not a state that welcomes immigrants, and that perceptions are difficult to overcome.
Nevertheless, the committee reported the bills—House Bills 4338, 4339, and 4342—to the full House on divided, party-line votes.
For more information on Catholic advocacy for immigrants and refugees, the newest edition of MCC’s Focus is dedicated to “Seeing Christ in the Immigrant” and the Catholic perspective on immigration.
Training for School Staff Among This Week’s School Safety Bills
The House continued work this week to advance a multi-faceted school safety package, taking up new versions of legislation for testimony while approving other previously considered bills, all of which have earned MCC support.
The House Education Committee sent legislation to the full chamber to promote a confidential state tipline for students and staff to report threats to law enforcement, known as OK-2-SAY. The bill, House Bill 4225, would require the tipline number to be printed on identification cards issued to students in grades 6 through 12.
Another bill reported to the full chamber—House Bill 4229—would require quarterly reports regarding the tips received to the state’s OK-2-SAY tipline be presented to the state’s School Safety and Mental Health Commission.
The committee also considered two other bills for testimony only, which were supported by MCC.
The first requires the state to develop and provide school safety training to both public and nonpublic schools, as outlined by House Bill 4315 and sponsored by Rep. Joseph Pavlov (R-Kimball Township). This bill is similar to and replaces House Bill 4228, which was previously considered by the committee.
The other bill presented this week, House Bill 4223, sponsored by Rep. Mike Harris (R-Clarkston), would require schools to develop a training plan to ensure staff receive the state training.
The House panel has been advancing several bills to improve safety procedures in all schools, which have largely earned MCC’s support for their inclusion of nonpublic schools into the protections and procedures provided in the legislation.
Senate Provides Unanimous Support for Ensuring Foster Kids Keep Benefits
A bill ensuring foster children keep benefits they are entitled to cleared the Senate unanimously last week, marking the second time in two sessions the MCC-backed legislation has cleared the chamber with no opposition.
Senate Bill 18, sponsored by Sen. Jeff Irwin (D-Ann Arbor), would end the state practice of intercepting any benefits tied to the children under its supervision, which can include certain federal benefits like Social Security or Supplemental Security Income.
Instead, the state would keep those benefits in accounts that foster children could access after exiting state supervision, benefits that could help them get on stable economic footing. The practice was said to have started during past state budget crunches to help offset the cost of caring for children in foster care.
The bill heads next to the House Families and Veterans Committee. Similar legislation stalled in the House last session.
MCC-Opposed Bill Regarding Life-Sustaining Treatment Barely Clears Senate
Legislation opposed by MCC that could preclude continuation of life-sustaining treatment for preborn children was approved by the Senate last week, but only in a divided partisan vote.
Senate Bill 33, sponsored by Rep. Sarah Anthony (D-Lansing), would allow a woman to have her patient advocate designation stipulate that she does not desire life-sustaining treatment in difficult end-of-life scenarios, even if she is pregnant.
In these tragic circumstances affecting the life of a mother, if the baby is alive, forgoing treatment could also result in the death of the child. MCC’s opposition is rooted in the principle that the child’s life has value and should be offered protective measures, if care can be provided proportionately and without undue burden to both the child and the family.
The legislation was sent to the House Health Policy Committee.