2019 Petition Initiative Position Statements

 
                  Michigan’s unique situation, with its long-standing ban on abortion, requires than any pro-life legislation be carefully evaluated to ensure that it will not weaken or repeal the state’s existing ban on abortion.  Michigan has the longest existing and, some say, the strongest pro-life law in the country.

Supports:  Michigan Values Life
End Dismemberment Abortion

 
                 At present, twelve other states have passed bans on this procedure.  The Michigan Values Life citizen’s petition would amend the state’s active 2011 law which bans the partial-birth abortion procedure.  Using this approach, it is likely that the dismemberment ban will be determined to be constitutional.  The dismemberment ban poses no threat to Michigan’s complete abortion ban because it does not ban abortion.  It bans a specific abortion procedure.

          Does NOT Support:  Michigan Heartbeat Coalition

                    A second petition has been initiated to ban any abortion after cardiac activity is detectable (approximately 6-8 week of gestation).  While the intent of this legislation is honorable, there is cause for concern.  It could weaken and potentially supersede Michigan’s existing ban.  Preserving Michigan’s existing ban on abortion is of paramount concern, as this law already protects all unborn children once a heartbeat is detected and even prior to its detection.
A heartbeat ban most likely would not go into effect until Roe v wade is overturned.  At that point, the state’s existing ban on abortion would again become enforceable.
Additionally, the petition language itself does not take into account Michigan law and its many abortion restrictions.
 
Please do not confuse these two petitions.
We will be collecting signatures for the End Dismemberment Abortion.

https://www.micatholic.org/advocacy/michigan-values-life/
 

Life and Dignity of the Human Person

The Catholic Church proclaims that human life is sacred and that the dignity of the human person is the foundation of a moral vision for society. This belief is the foundation of all the principles of our social teaching. In our society, human life is under direct attack from abortion and euthanasia. The value of human life is being threatened by cloning, embryonic stem cell research, and the use of the death penalty. The intentional targeting of civilians in war or terrorist attacks is always wrong. Catholic teaching also calls on us to work to avoid war. Nations must protect the right to life by finding increasingly effective ways to prevent conflicts and resolve them by peaceful means. We believe that every person is precious, that people are more important than things, and that the measure of every institution is whether it threatens or enhances the life and dignity of the human person.