Are you ready and willing to suffer?

[mgoforth]

I hope by now that all Catholics are at least aware of (if not actively opposing) the new mandate by the department of Health and Human Services (HHS) that all employers must provide health insurance that includes coverage for contraception and abortion. If not, please take a moment to read what one Bishop has to say:

todayscatholicnews.org/2012/02/hhs-birth-control-mandate-is-%E2%80%98attack-on-our-religious-freedom%E2%80%99/

Now, my question to all is this: If this unjust law is not overturned and you are personally confronted with the choice of obeying it or not, which will you choose?

I’m so proud that our Bishops all over the nation have given us a strong personal example of following our consciences by saying “No. We cannot - we will not - comply with this.” But what will you do? What punishments are you willing to endure to follow our Lord’s commandments? Please read this article from Bishop Bruskewitz of Lincoln, Nebraska:

catholicnewsagency.com/news/lincoln-bishop-tells-catholics-to-prepare-for-suffering-under-hhs-mandate

In it, Bishop Bruskewitz says, “We cannot and will not comply with this unjust decree. Like the martyrs of old, we must be prepared to accept suffering which could include heavy fines and imprisonment." Let those words sink in for a moment. Are you willing to be fined or imprisoned to follow the teachings of Christ’s Church? I certainly hope so. The “martyrs of old” endured torture and death rather than turn away from God. No one is threatening to crucify us if we fail to comply, so we have it easy by comparison.

This all comes down to a question: Who is our true master? Is it the U.S. government or Christ?

As Jesus himself said in Matthew 6:24, “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon (the world).” We should all despise what the government is attempting to force on us, and we should be willing, even excited, to have the chance to demonstrate our faith by suffering as Jesus did. In John 15:20 we’re told, “Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A slave is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you; if they kept My word, they will keep yours also.” My brothers and sisters, the persecution is here. It’s happening now. Christ and all the angels and saints are watching us with love and will strengthen us to stand up and face this evil if we will only ask them.

My hope is that once the government starts to make arrests and hand out fines to enforce their will, it will infuriate even more Catholics (and anyone else who will join us) and the tide will turn definitively against this unjust law. Can you imagine the uproar if any of our priests or bishops are actually arrested for resisting this? Not to mention fines or arrests for Catholic small business-owners and even ordinary people refusing to sign up for the mandated health plans? But for any of that to happen, some of us have to be willing to push back first.

I’m tired of being bullied and intimidated by this government, how about you?

 

[Anathama_Sit]

Good article. This has got to be the best post of the day I have seen in the entire Forums in a long time. Thank you for taking the time out to post this.

 

[Jeanne_S]

Amen…Christ said"take up your cross and follow me" …

 

[Nimzovik]

Bring it.

 

[Safia]

Bring it.

Amen.

 

[Rence]

Well, I’m not going to be affected by this new mandate at all. I have always had such coverage available wherever I worked. So some people are talking about canceling their insurance where they work soley for the fact that their co-workers will be using those benefits. But I have no plans to cancel my insurance. I think that’s just cutting off your nose to spite your face.

And some folks are trying to rally people to not pay their taxes, which again, is like cutting off your nose to spite your face. These folks are rallying people to hurt themselves because they are encouraging people to break the law and incur penalties that will be just recuperated by the government garnishing their wages.

I guess I don’t really see all the ‘suffering’ some people are talking about with regards to this new mandate, when (and if) it ever goes into effect. What are you all thinking of in terms of “suffering”? I realize that Catholic employers who hire non-Catholics and serve non-Catholics will have to make some decisions. But that is a small percentage of Catholics. Those of us who are employees won’t have to be making any hard decisions as we should have been not using those benefits anyway.

 

[bmullins]

Bring it.

 

[Hecares]

I am frightened by this bill. It would be a step toward the abolition of our freedom to follow our consciences. I have never heard of our country trying to blatantly take away such a freedom before. It is a very disturbing thing. Yes, it would mean that we are supporting contraception, sterilization and even in some cases abortion. Catholics are not the only ones against these things.

However, the whole country suffers when the government starts to take away our freedoms. This country was founded by people who fled countries who tried to limit people’s religious freedom or who persecuted those who followed their consceinces. How can we easily give up one of our most basic freedoms?

My hope is that the delay in enforcement of this measure will allow for a more rational look at the issue after the 2012 election. Politicians can give more serious thought to such things when there isn’t an election soon to make them give more weight to re-election than to the good of the people and the country.

God bless America. Don’t forsake us in this time of trouble. Mary, our mother, pray for us.

 

[mgoforth]

Well, I’m not going to be affected by this new mandate at all. I have always had such coverage available wherever I worked. So some people are talking about canceling their insurance where they work soley for the fact that their co-workers will be using those benefits. But I have no plans to cancel my insurance. I think that’s just cutting off your nose to spite your face.

And some folks are trying to rally people to not pay their taxes, which again, is like cutting off your nose to spite your face. These folks are rallying people to hurt themselves because they are encouraging people to break the law and incur penalties that will be just recuperated by the government garnishing their wages.

I guess I don’t really see all the ‘suffering’ some people are talking about with regards to this new mandate, when (and if) it ever goes into effect. What are you all thinking of in terms of “suffering”? I realize that Catholic employers who hire non-Catholics and serve non-Catholics will have to make some decisions. But that is a small percentage of Catholics. Those of us who are employees won’t have to be making any hard decisions as we should have been not using those benefits anyway.

It’s my understanding that nearly all Catholic institutions are affected by this mandate. Perhaps someone who understands the finer points of this law could clarify…but I’m pretty sure you’re mistaken when you say it’s a small percentage. For instance, I believe the pastor of any church, since he’s the employer, will be required to provide “preventive” benefits to his staff. I assume that 99% of priests are not going to do that. The penalty for refusal would be either a heavy fine or jail time. I don’t know about you, but my parish isn’t exactly sitting on a mountain of surplus cash to pay unjust fines. And I also need my priest to be at the church to celebrate the Mass, hear my confessions, etc… Not going to work if he’s in prison. That would cause suffering for everyone in the parish.

As for the other points you make, I’ve heard people suggest not paying their taxes or cancelling their insurance. Those are both options, but I think the strongest message will be when Catholic employers - clergy and lay people - simply refuse to obey and start getting locked up. That’s when things should get interesting.

 

[Rence]

It’s my understanding that nearly all Catholic institutions are affected by this mandate. Perhaps someone who understands the finer points of this law could clarify…but I’m pretty sure you’re mistaken when you say it’s a small percentage. For instance, I believe the pastor of any church, since he’s the employer, will be required to provide “preventive” benefits to his staff. I assume that 99% of priests are not going to do that. The penalty for refusal would be either a heavy fine or jail time. I don’t know about you, but my parish isn’t exactly sitting on a mountain of surplus cash to pay unjust fines. And I also need my priest to be at the church to celebrate the Mass, hear my confessions, etc… Not going to work if he’s in prison. That would cause suffering for everyone in the parish.

I’ve never heard of a parish employing non-Catholics, but I suppose that would vary depending on where you live. All the parishes in my area would fit the criteria that already exists that allows exceptions for religious: they hire all Catholics, and their services are specialized for Catholics. It’s places like hospitals, universities, schools, etc. that may not meet the requirements because the employ non-Catholics and their services are for all.

As for the other points you make, I’ve heard people suggest not paying their taxes

Well that’s a silly way to object because 1) it’s illegal to withhold taxes in opposition to something one doesn’t approve, and jail time can occur, and that jailtime will have nothing to do with the issue at hand. And 2) they can garnish one’s wages for all that’s due plus any penalties. It seems like a very counterproductive way to get one’s point across.

or cancelling their insurance. Those are both options, but I think the strongest message will be when Catholic employers - clergy and lay people - simply refuse to obey and start getting locked up. That’s when things should get interesting.

I don’t think clergy will fit into that category, but again, I guess that depends on which parish one belongs to. As for Catholic employers, lobbying and canceling their insurance would be a good way to get their point across.

 

[michelleds]

I’ve never heard of a parish employing non-Catholics, but I suppose that would vary depending on where you live. All the parishes in my area would fit the criteria that already exists that allows exceptions for religious: they hire all Catholics, and their services are specialized for Catholics. It’s places like hospitals, universities, schools, etc. that may not meet the requirements because the employ non-Catholics and their services are for all.

Well that’s a silly way to object because 1) it’s illegal to withhold taxes in opposition to something one doesn’t approve, and jail time can occur, and that jailtime will have nothing to do with the issue at hand. And 2) they can garnish one’s wages for all that’s due plus any penalties. It seems like a very counterproductive way to get one’s point across.

I don’t think clergy will fit into that category, but again, I guess that depends on which parish one belongs to. As for Catholic employers, lobbying and canceling their insurance would be a good way to get their point across.

Catholic parishes and dioceses that have soup kitchens, food pantries, counselling, clothes closets, etc will all serve people who are not Catholic, thereby eliminating themselves from the very very narrow exception.

Furthermore, you’ve heard of “the shot across the bow” meaning a warning shot? this mandate is an actual shot into the ship, it’s not a warning, it’s a precursor. what makes you think that there’s not more to follow? more mandates? taxing Churches, forcing Catholic hospitals to form on-demand abortions, forcing Catholic employers to pay for abortions, forcing the Catholic Church to perform SS “marriages”.

This isn’t just a Catholic issue, this is a People of Faith issue.

I’m with the “Bring it” crowd. I pray that God will give me the grace and strength to “do Him proud” if the time comes.

 

[Rence]

Catholic parishes and dioceses that have soup kitchens, food pantries, counselling, clothes closets, etc will all serve people who are not Catholic, thereby eliminating themselves from the very very narrow exception.

Furthermore, you’ve heard of “the shot across the bow” meaning a warning shot? this mandate is an actual shot into the ship, it’s not a warning, it’s a precursor. what makes you think that there’s not more to follow? more mandates? taxing Churches, forcing Catholic hospitals to form on-demand abortions, forcing Catholic employers to pay for abortions, forcing the Catholic Church to perform SS “marriages”.

This isn’t just a Catholic issue, this is a People of Faith issue.

I’m with the “Bring it” crowd. I pray that God will give me the grace and strength to “do Him proud” if the time comes.

If you think it’s a precursor then I’m glad you have the “bring it” attitude and fight it with everything you’ve got.

I don’t think Churches will be taxed. I just don’t see a basis for justification. I don’t think Catholic hospitals will be forced to perform on-demand abortions (especially with PP still in the picture and the many secular hospitals that are available), I don’t think Catholic employers will be paying for abortions (unless they count ABCs as “abortion”) … (and as you’ll notice, abortive services are not included in this new mandate). I don’t believe the Catholic Church will be forced to perform SS marriages because the State doesn’t recognize Sacramental marriage in the first place. The priest only signs the marriage certificate as a courtesy, and if that becomes a requirement as part of their privelidge to sign the marriage certificate, then they simply can stop doing it across the board as it’s not a part of the Sacrament anyway. The worst thing that will happen is that Catholics will have to go to City Hall to get their license signed and carry it to the priest before the wedding. Who cares? I don’t. It’s not part of the Sacrament in the first place. Perhaps if people were made to take that trip to City Hall before going to Church, the reality of the Sacrament and the importance it holds would be more apparent to them.

I just don’t see this as a precursor to anything and choose to pick my battles. I really think I’d be in the “bring it” crowd for most of the things you fear too. I just don’t see them happening.

 

[JimG]

Catholic parishes and dioceses that have soup kitchens, food pantries, counselling, clothes closets, etc will all serve people who are not Catholic, thereby eliminating themselves from the very very narrow exception.

In my diocese, the diocese operates a food kitchen–really a restaurant–which feeds all comers one meal a day. We have 6,000 volunteers, mostly Catholic, but most of the clientele served is non-Catholic, I would presume. No one asks them to prove their religion or their income. Under Obama’s mandate, this charity would have to provide health insurance which would cover sterilization, birth control, abortifacients. It would have to reject its Catholic identity. The same would go for Catholic hospitals.

It is an attempt by the government to take away the Church’s ability to define its own doctrine, mandating that it be replaced with HHS doctrine.

The first ones to suffer might be bishops, priests, hospital administrators, hospital employees if hospitals are forced to close down. And patients.

It is a remarkably odius power grab by the government, a rejection of freedom of religion, and an attack on the Catholic Church specifically.

 

[Nimzovik]

JMG: Yes your post has merit. In other regards,** I**, personally, do no longer debate with those paid not to listen. Just IMHO. Of course I mention no one specifically. They (and we) know who they are methinks.

 

[Nate13]

If you think it’s a precursor then I’m glad you have the “bring it” attitude and fight it with everything you’ve got.

I don’t think Churches will be taxed. I just don’t see a basis for justification. I don’t think Catholic hospitals will be forced to perform on-demand abortions (especially with PP still in the picture and the many secular hospitals that are available), I don’t think Catholic employers will be paying for abortions (unless they count ABCs as “abortion”) … (and as you’ll notice, abortive services are not included in this new mandate). I don’t believe the Catholic Church will be forced to perform SS marriages because the State doesn’t recognize Sacramental marriage in the first place. The priest only signs the marriage certificate as a courtesy, and if that becomes a requirement as part of their privelidge to sign the marriage certificate, then they simply can stop doing it across the board as it’s not a part of the Sacrament anyway. The worst thing that will happen is that Catholics will have to go to City Hall to get their license signed and carry it to the priest before the wedding. Who cares? I don’t. It’s not part of the Sacrament in the first place. Perhaps if people were made to take that trip to City Hall before going to Church, the reality of the Sacrament and the importance it holds would be more apparent to them.

I just don’t see this as a precursor to anything and choose to pick my battles. I really think I’d be in the “bring it” crowd for most of the things you fear too. I just don’t see them happening.

The morning after pill is an abortifacient and that will be required. We can actually go and look at the healthcare situation in Massachusetts to get a great idea of what is to come. Within a year after passing their government healthcare, someone sued and got abortions funded. 15 other States in U.S actually will fund people’s abortions using Medicaid funding. fundabortionnow.org/get-help/medicaid Part of Medicaid funding comes from the federal tax dollars, so surprise! your funding abortions right now.

This bill is in my mind a guarantee of abortion funding via our healthcare we are all paying into. I was listening to a commentator on the news you was debating the issue and was arguing that it was in no way an impingement on religious liberty. He basically argued that the Catholic Church didn’t have to run hospitals, schools, adoption agencies, etc… and they could quit if they didn’t like that. In other words religious liberty in his mind ended as you walked out the door of your Church.

This is the kind of mentality we are up against and it is sickening.

 

[JimG]

He basically argued that the Catholic Church didn’t have to run hospitals, schools, adoption agencies, etc… and they could quit if they didn’t like that.

Yes, and that’s exactly what this anti-Catholic administration wants. You Catholics will not be allowed to run your organizations in accordance with your morals. You’ll just have to turn them over to the government, and we’ll run them in accordance with our pro-abortion principles.

 

[Nate13]

Yes, and that’s exactly what this anti-Catholic administration wants. You Catholics will not be allowed to run your organizations in accordance with your morals. You’ll just have to turn them over to the government, and we’ll run them in accordance with our pro-abortion principles.

Exactly, the correct response for us would be no one is forcing you to show up at our schools, hospitals, and adoption agencies and anyone who doesn’t like our policies has plenty of other options. The government is the one taking away people’s options if they take out the Catholic schools, hospitals, and adoption agencies.

 

[mgoforth]

Exactly, the correct response for us would be no one is forcing you to show up at our schools, hospitals, and adoption agencies and anyone who doesn’t like our policies has plenty of other options. The government is the one taking away people’s options if they take out the Catholic schools, hospitals, and adoption agencies.

I agree. The response I’m really glad to see is the one that the bishops have already put forward. They simply said, “No. We won’t do it.” The 1 year transition period won’t change that. And in the second article I linked to, the bishop says we should all be ready to be fined and imprisoned. I think the government will be surprised to discover that our Catholic leadership isn’t afraid of their threats in the slightest. They’re not like the leaders of secular groups that buckle under political pressure. And when regular Catholics see the priests and bishops stand up to this, I hope it will light a fire under them as well.

 

[Anathama_Sit]

Let us remember the Bishops and all Catholic employers in our prayers. Let us do fasting for this as well if we can. I can’t do much other than offer my prayers and fast as I am not in your country. But I hold this in my heart becuase I have friends and family who do live there and know many wonderful Catholics as well.