This will be my the last article prior to the general election on Tuesday, November 8th. Let's make sure we do everything we can to get this message out to defeat Propostion 3!
Ed Strach State Life Director
Proposal 3, or the “Reproductive Freedom for All” constitutional amendment, seeks to amend Michigan’s constitution to allow “unregulated abortion on demand through all nine months of pregnancy” and upend dozens of laws protecting women, minors, health care providers and victims of abortion, Archbishop Allen H Vigneron wrote in a letter dated Sept. 17.
While those in favor of Proposal 3 have argued the proposal is simply a return to Roe v. Wade and have denied claims that the proposal would overrule parental consent for minors seeking abortions, those opposed have pointed to the broad language as cause for concern and as problematic to Michigan's legal landscape.
The proposal begins with the words “every individual,” a phrase that doesn’t limit the class of people who hold the right by their age, John Bursch, JD, vice president of appellate advocacy for Alliance Defending Freedom and former Michigan solicitor general (2011-13), told Detroit Catholic.
“(The pro side) says, ‘Well, the state had the ability to allow parents to be informed and give consent under Roe v. Wade, (and) this wouldn’t be any different.’ Well, that is because Roe and Planned Parenthood v. Casey were judge-made rules; this is a constitutional provision that gives the right to every individual,” Bursch explained. “You can’t modify that by legislation. The phrase ‘every individual’ does not appear anywhere in the current Michigan and federal constitutions. It is unique to Proposal 3.”
Bursch said when rights are given in other constitutional provisions, they frequently come with age limitations.
“One of the examples the proponents of Proposal 3 bring up is voting," Bursch said. "You have a right to vote notwithstanding race or sex, but yet states limit it to those who are 18 years or older. That’s because the 26th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution specifically says the right to vote is for those 18 years or older. In order to give people below that age the right to vote, we’d have to amend the constitution. But (in Proposal 3), they wrote the provision to give everyone the right (to abortion) without age limitation.”
You read the entire article by GABRIELLA PATTI in Detroit Catholic HERE.
Let’s Continue to Fight Like Heaven to Defeat Proposal 3!
Our councils and members throughout the state are doing a fantastic job in all efforts to Defeat Proposal 3. As the general election approaches we must continue to Fight Like Heaven to defeat this proposal. At the forefront of these efforts are continued prayers for that will help guide and motivate us.
Bishops of Michigan Request Support
Let’s support our bishops request that strongly encourages us to Vote NO on Proposal 3. The letter from all Michigan bishops ends with the following “Let us come together to protect human life and promote the dignity of women and children by voting NO on Proposal 3. Please encourage others to do so as well.”
Read the complete letter here.
Special State Council Matching Funds Available
The financial demands to Defeat Proposal 3 are unapparelled. The State Council has once again taken on this challenge by leading an effort to donate up to $225,000 of matching funding to Defeat Proposal 3. Through donations from our councils, assemblies and members to make an immediate donation up to $225,000 will provide the coalition a total of $450,000 to ensure advertising funds are available during these final weeks toward the general election. Please note, these matching funds will also be made available for Knight of Columbus business owners.
To ensure matching funds are made by the State Council send your donation to:
Barry Borsenik
State Secretary
9673 Downing Rd.
Birch Run, MI 48415
Make checks payable to: Citizens to Protect MI Women and Children
Memo Line: Defeat Proposal 3
Read Barb Listing, President Right to Life Michigan letter to Knight of Columbus members and families request for support. Click HERE.
They warn this is “the most extreme proposal concerning abortion this state or country has ever seen.” Read the letter HERE
“As citizens and pastors in Michigan, we call your attention to an immense threat to the dignity of human life on this November’s ballot,” the bishops said in a joint statement released through the Michigan Catholic Conference and mailed to households Oct. 10. “We urge you to vote no.”
You may read this entire article by Michael Stechschulte in Detroit Catholic HERE.
St. Mary’s Visitation-Fr. A. Weber Council #17232 in Byron Center received the October Council of the month award for the Kalamazoo Diocese. The council has 80% of their membership goals and approved a form 100 at their meeting to make Star.
Left to right is District Deputy Joe Harnish, Grand Knight Benjamin Schaendorf, and SDRR Jim Highfield.
At the Council meeting of St. Francis of Assisi Council # 4401 of Farmington Hills, SDRR Richard Shelt had the pleasure presenting the Star Council to award to Don Garon DMD, Jim Filbert IPGK, and Gary Mallia DD # 112.
There were about 45 brothers in attendance at their council meeting.
One of the Archdiocese council Coats for Kids.
First of the GR Diocesan Coats for Kids distribution was held at Sacred Heart School in Muskegon. The second give a way will be Saturday November 5th at the Shrine of St Francis and Our Lady of Guadalupe in Grand Rapids.
Pictured left to right Robby Stamper, Paul Robaskiewicz, Wayne La Pointe, Lowell Munson, Jason Andree, DD307 Joe Tackx, Dustin Coon, Mikey Lewis, Diocesan Program Director Mike Lewis Jr, Roger Routt, State Family Director Garret Kelenske, SDRR Marty Brown and Larry Page.
Lowell Munson and Wayne La Pointe getting coats ready for drive.
72 coats were distributed to children in need. A good night for all involved.
Grand Rapids Coats for Kids distribution was held on Saturday November 5th, 2022, at the Shrine of St. Francis Xavier and our Lady of Guadalupe. We were able to pass out 436 coats to smiling kids.
There were Knights from various councils from the Grand Rapids Diocese assisting in the giveaway. We also had two mother’s that came for coats for their kids and stayed through the entire event to help us. Thank you to all 23 people that worked at the event.
Marquette Dioces information for trip to the upcoming March for Life in D.C.
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St Joseph's Office: 906-485-4200 |
St John’s Office: 906-486-6212 |
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Fr Ryan Ford: 906-399-0553 |
Pete Longtine: 906-250-7510 |
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