August 17, 2018

	In This Update:
	Responses to Pennsylvania Grand Jury Report FOCUS: The Issues, the Candidates, and Your Vote 2018 The Word from Lansing: The Future of Roe v. Wade

	Responses to Pennsylvania Grand Jury Report
	This week the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops called for continued prevention efforts, support for victims, and greater accountability following the release of a disturbing Grand Jury Report from the Attorney General of Pennsylvania detailing sexual abuse in six of the state's Catholic dioceses. The USCCB also announced initial steps it would propose to involve laity, experts, and the Vatican intended to further respond to these matters. The goals include: 1) an investigation into Archbishop Theodore McCarrick, former Archbishop of Washington D.C., against whom credible accusations of abuse have emerged, 2) an opening of new and confidential channels for reporting complaints against bishops, and 3) advocacy for more effective resolution of future complaints. The U.S. bishops will consider a plan that incorporates these goals at its November meeting. Cardinal Daniel DiNardo, Archbishop of Galveston-Houston and president of the USCCB, will then travel to Rome to present the bishops' plan to the Vatican.   In response to the Grand Jury Report, Detroit Archbishop Allen Vigneron issued letters to the Catholic faithful and priests of the Archdiocese, offering prayers for victims of abuse and affirming the need for clergy accountability. Archbishop Vigneron commented further during a radio interview with WJR talk show host Paul W. Smith.  "My prayers today are with the victims of abuse at the hands of clergy worldwide, particularly those represented in the grand jury report in Pennsylvania. The allegations contained in that report, as well as recent allegations of sinful behavior involving former Cardinal Theodore McCarrick - regardless of when and where they happened - are daunting tests of faith for you in the Church, her leadership and our ongoing efforts towards abuse prevention and response."

	FOCUS: The Issues, the Candidates, and Your Vote 2018
	The Catholic Church calls for people of faith to promote the common good and to engage in the public realm, including through voting. The U.S. bishops, in their guiding document Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship, do not instruct Catholics for whom to vote. Instead they encourage all to develop a well-formed conscience and to consider candidates carefully. In preparation for the November 2018 election, this edition of FOCUS offers issues and questions to consider before voting.

	The Word from Lansing: The Future of Roe v. Wade
	In 1973, two Supreme Court decisions led to legalized abortion across the United States. Michigan had previously banned the practice for almost 130 years. In The Word from Lansing for August, Michigan Catholic Conference details the impact of these decisions on Michigan and what would happen here if they were overturned.  If this email was forwarded to you, please click here to join the Catholic Advocacy Network, which will enable you to receive regular electronic updates and alerts. For other news and information, click here to follow MCC on Twitter, like MCC on Facebook, follow MCC on Instagram, or visit MCC's webpage.

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