U. S. Bishops Vow to Fight HHS Edict
WASHINGTON—The Catholic bishops of the United States called “literally unconscionable” a decision by the Obama Administration to continue to demand that sterilization, abortifacients and contraception be included in virtually all health plans. Today’s announcement means that this mandate and its very narrow exemption will not change at all; instead there will only be a delay in enforcement against some employers.
“In effect, the president is saying we have a year to figure out how to violate our consciences,” said Cardinal-designate Timothy M. Dolan, archbishop of New York and president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.
The cardinal-designate continued, “To force American citizens to choose between violating their consciences and forgoing their healthcare is literally unconscionable.It is as much an attack on access to health care as on religious freedom. Historically this represents a challenge and a compromise of our religious liberty.”
The HHS rule requires that sterilization and contraception – including controversial abortifacients – be included among “preventive services” coverage in almost every healthcare plan available to Americans. “The government should not force Americans to act as if pregnancy is a disease to be prevented at all costs,” added Cardinal-designate Dolan.
At issue, the U.S. bishops and other religious leaders insist, is the survival of a cornerstone constitutionally protected freedom that ensures respect for the conscience of Catholics and all other Americans.
“This is nothing less than a direct attack on religion and First Amendment rights,” said Franciscan Sister Jane Marie Klein, chairperson of the board at Franciscan Alliance, Inc., a system of 13 Catholic hospitals. “I have hundreds of employees who will be upset and confused by this edict. I cannot understand it at all.”
Daughter of Charity Sister Carol Keehan, president and chief executive officer of the Catholic Health Association of the United States, voiced disappointment with the decision. Catholic hospitals serve one out of six people who seek hospital care annually.
“This was a missed opportunity to be clear on appropriate conscience protection,” Sister Keehan said.
Cardinal-designate Dolan urged that the HHS mandate be overturned.
“The Obama administration has now drawn an unprecedented line in the sand,” he said. “The Catholic bishops are committed to working with our fellow Americans to reform the law and change this unjust regulation. We will continue to study all the implications of this troubling decision.”
Hat tip: Prophet Micaiah
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Needless to say, this wouldn’t be happening if we hadn’t handed over healthcare to the government in the first place. When are people going to learn? Healthcare needs to be between an individual, his or her doctor, and (if an individual chooses to be insured) whatever insurance company that individual chooses. Bringing the government into it only means increased cost, increased regulation, decreased benefits; and, once the government runs out of money (like Greece and other countries soon to follow, including possibly the US), misery for everybody.
[1] Posted by ToAllTheWorld on 1-21-2012 at 03:36 PM · [top]
We need to support the Catholics in this fight. We are well on our way to becoming a socialist police state.
[2] Posted by Br. Michael on 1-21-2012 at 03:44 PM · [top]
AMEN to both #1 and #2. Our rights and freedoms are at far greater risk than ever before. I’d like to blame Democrats alone but far to many Republicans play fast & loose with these as well. Many local branches of Catholic Services no longer provide adoption placements because under Obama they are required to assist gay couples.
[3] Posted by Nikolaus on 1-21-2012 at 05:13 PM · [top]
I have just fired off very strong letters of opposition to both Senators Boxer and Feinstein, and Monday, I will follow them up with phone calls. We have got to stop this!
[4] Posted by cennydd13 on 1-21-2012 at 05:19 PM · [top]
AMEN to all of the above.
[5] Posted by Nellie on 1-21-2012 at 05:21 PM · [top]
“Literally unconscionable” is being too kind.
[6] Posted by Undergroundpewster on 1-21-2012 at 07:30 PM · [top]
As they used to say back in the 1930’s - Ein Volk, Ein Reich, ... Fast forward to today and it’s become “We Can’t Wait.” Ahead of Tuesday’s State of the Union address, read up on Huey Long’s “Share our Wealth” program, and see how much of it gets recycled in Tuesday’s speech as the supposed way to rescue the Middle Class.
[7] Posted by Daniel on 1-21-2012 at 09:46 PM · [top]
6. Undergroundpewster, I’m not in the habit of pulling my punches when I write my senators about such important things, and I most definitely did not do it this time. I gave them both barrels. As a Catholic, Barbara Boxer should know better than to support the Obama Administration’s proposal. I’m not sure about Diane Feinstein, who is Jewish.
[8] Posted by cennydd13 on 1-21-2012 at 10:53 PM · [top]
I really believ that this must be from the Lord and that he is going to judge these politicians harshly. He seems to have confused their counsel and caused them to be foolish in launching this. This is probably what is needed to radicalize the electorate and cause an irreversable backlash against the establishment. God raises up rulers and puts down rulers. I believe we are getting ready to see a real put down. May the Lord have mercy on their souls and may they repent before judgment calls. IMHO
[9] Posted by PROPHET MICAIAH on 1-21-2012 at 11:00 PM · [top]
Obamacare—because no child should be born just because her mother couldn’t afford an abortion!
[10] Posted by ABQ Methodist on 1-21-2012 at 11:20 PM · [top]
Let’s hear it for all you “pro life” Democrats out there! Yes, I realize that for the advancement of socialism some babies have to die. The important thing is that we get on with redistributing the wealth, right?
(Yes, I’m being ironic)
[11] Posted by Capn Jack Sparrow on 1-22-2012 at 12:37 AM · [top]
And I just blew coffee through my nose onto my keyboard. Good Luck with those calls and letters! Or were you not intentionally being sarcastic?
[12] Posted by Creedal Episcopalian on 1-22-2012 at 07:57 AM · [top]
Sad, though, that everybody could instantly infer that it was the US Catholic bishops.
[13] Posted by Ed the Roman on 1-22-2012 at 08:32 AM · [top]
No doubt Creedal. But if we concede so readily to the stupidity of our politicians, there is absolutely no hope whatsoever. IMO parading through Washington or in front of the local abortion clinic has even less effect. But it serves a purpose none the less and I have great respect for those marchers. FWIW, cennydd13 inspired me to do the same.
[14] Posted by Nikolaus on 1-22-2012 at 12:21 PM · [top]
13- Ed, don’t worry, TEC bishops will be opposing this too. A few notable ones for the same reason the Catholic bishops oppose it. Most not for moral or theological reasons, but because it will cause a rise in diocesan health care costs. GC shot them in the foot by passing the health care resolution that required dioceses to provide minimal health insurance for the non-bishop employees (the bishops, of course, already had better insurance than most in the private sector). Next thing you know, GC vote will vote to force dioceses to cover the greens fees for non-bishops, too.
[15] Posted by tjmcmahon on 1-22-2012 at 12:35 PM · [top]
#8. I’m pretty sure Boxer is Jewish and Feinstein was baptized Catholic, but I’m not sure what, if any faith, she now claims. But of course we have the remarkable Nancy Pelosi who claims to be a devout Catholic and a greater supporter of abortion on demand could not be found.
I am SO glad that Cardinal designate Dolan was given such a prominent assignment. He’s terrific.
[16] Posted by Judith L on 1-22-2012 at 02:53 PM · [top]
Sorry. Should have checked Wikipedia first. Feinstein had one set of Russian Orthodox grandparents and she went to Sacred Heart for high school, but her faith is Judaism, as is Boxer’s.
[17] Posted by Judith L on 1-22-2012 at 03:11 PM · [top]
Well, what did we expect from Obama? More hope and change…yeah.
The scary part is that the TEC leadership WILL BACK OBAMA on this crapola.
[18] Posted by B. Hunter on 1-23-2012 at 01:31 PM · [top]
Sadly, the United Methodists have beaten TEC to it. See Board of Church and Society. Abortion and contraception are just to important to allow freedom of religion to get in the way. By ceding religious freedom here, the main line churches pave the way for it to be taken all together. It is remarkable how our mailine churches work so diligently to bring about their own destruction. Then again, perhaps it is just God’s economy and not so remarkable after all.
[19] Posted by ABQ Methodist on 1-24-2012 at 09:34 AM · [top]
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