Bishops rip HHS mandate That Forces Coverage of Birth Control, Abortion Drugs

[pnewton]

I believe that the Catholic Church has forbidden usage of ABCs, has ruled that the usage of ABCs is gravely sinful, and that Catholics must choose not to use them in obedience to the Church.

Beyond not using ABC, they are not to provide them either. Even as the abortion provider is guilty, as the one having the abortion. So the Catholic Church can not, will not, provide ABC, even if required by law. It will not happen. In the end, you may well see the hospitals closed, not sold, and the assets sold to help others in countries less totalitarian.

No one is force to work at a Catholic Church, school or hospital. If I worked for an Jewish company, I wouldn’t expect to have a right to bacon at the cafeteria. If I worked for an Islamic charity, I would expect that too would be ran on Islamic principles.

 

[JReducation]

I’m pretty sure we’ve had the same discussion with respect to education, but here is the thing:

Yes, costs for Catholic hospitals have gone up, primarily salaries, but also materials and equipment.

But guess what? So have the salaries of Catholics, generally! In other words, the donor base has increased right along with the costs.

What you offer us is nothing but a sad excuse of the most unimaginative nature.

You said, “Governments have a moral duty to provide for the welfare of their citizens.”

But how can “governments” have a moral duty that Catholics do not have? Why are you so willing to demand more of secularists than of Catholics? And why should anyone be surprised that when the Church relies on secular institutions to fulfill moral duties that they fulfill them in secular, even anti-Catholic ways?

The Catholic Church has been providing healthcare and healthcare related services to people around the world since the erection of the first monasteries in the 6th century. We have been doing our moral duty. We have never stopped providing for the needs of citizens. Catholics form the largest charitable organization in the world, including the USA. In some states, they are the largest charitable organization. Checkout what we do in OK.

My community runs five pregnancy centers, an education program for fathers in crisis pregnancies, material assistance until the child is 24 months old, support and assistance to the chronically and terminally ill and a vast array of service to immigrants with young children.

I don’t have to ask Catholics to do their moral duty, because they’re doing it and have been for centuries.

When the government imposes an expense on an employer that violates his moral conscience, the government places that employer on the spot. The employer has to comply in order to continue providing the services or has to close down the services to avoid complying with an immoral regulation.

Placing an employer in such a position threatens those who benefit from those services. The government has a moral obligation to its citizens. Its first moral obligation is to act morally. There is no excuse here. No person of good moral conscience, who understands natural law and principles of ethics can say that the government is secular; therefore, it’s not bound by the moral law.

Even secular government is bound by the moral law. The moral law was not written only into the hearts of those who are believers. The moral law is written into the very fabric of human nature. That’s why classical philosophers referred to it as natural law. It is not imposed by any religion, but by the Creator.

In this case, to pass regulation that risks the healthcare of its citizens is an immoral act. It is a deliberate dismissal of natural law. No government has the right to do that and no constitution can grant any government rights beyond those of God.

As a Catholic, my first obligation is not to the Government of the United States, but to the moral law, which only the Catholic Church can fully and correctly interpret and teach. The Church is telling us that contraception, birth control and abortion inducing drugs are always gravely immoral and that cooperation in such immoral acts is always wrong.

The government has no right to demand that any citizen pay for services and products that are gravely sinful. The government does not even have the right to make them available, but that’s a discussion for another thread. No government is above divine law. When the government acts in such a way, it fails to fulfill its moral obligation to its citizens.

No one is first a citizen and then a Catholic. It does not work that way in this Church. The Holy Father has already spoken on this issue and has asked bishops and Catholics to stand up against what amounts to a violation of religious freedom. It would be unfortunate and embarrassing if the pope has to order American Catholics to stand up for morality.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF

 

[Bubba_Switzler]

The Catholic Church has been providing healthcare and healthcare related services to people around the world since the erection of the first monasteries in the 6th century. We have been doing our moral duty. We have never stopped providing for the needs of citizens. Catholics form the largest charitable organization in the world, including the USA. In some states, they are the largest charitable organization. Checkout what we do in OK.

My community runs five pregnancy centers, an education program for fathers in crisis pregnancies, material assistance until the child is 24 months old, support and assistance to the chronically and terminally ill and a vast array of service to immigrants with young children.

I don’t have to ask Catholics to do their moral duty, because they’re doing it and have been for centuries.

I’m sorry if I’ve caused you to feel defensive. I do not dispute any of the facts you have presented here. I will, however, dispute your conclusion.

I will do so simply by pointing to the different criteria you are using in comparing the Catholic and secular institutions.

You are measuring Catholic institutions by their size relative to other charitable organizations. You say Catholics have done enough if they are the largest charitable organization.

But when you make your claim about the duty of government, you claimed that it must provide for all health care needs. You didn’t conclude that the government had satisfied it’s moral obligations simply being the biggest such provider.

That’s what we simple folk call a double standard.

But before we leave that, let’s consider the charitable activity of a single non-Catholic: Bill Gates. The Gates foundation is estimated to be approximately US$33 billion. How many Catholics have matched or exceeded that charity?

When the government imposes an expense on an employer that violates his moral conscience, the government places that employer on the spot. The employer has to comply in order to continue providing the services or has to close down the services to avoid complying with an immoral regulation.

Placing an employer in such a position threatens those who benefit from those services. The government has a moral obligation to its citizens. Its first moral obligation is to act morally. There is no excuse here. No person of good moral conscience, who understands natural law and principles of ethics can say that the government is secular; therefore, it’s not bound by the moral law.

Even secular government is bound by the moral law. The moral law was not written only into the hearts of those who are believers. The moral law is written into the very fabric of human nature. That’s why classical philosophers referred to it as natural law. It is not imposed by any religion, but by the Creator.

In this case, to pass regulation that risks the healthcare of its citizens is an immoral act. It is a deliberate dismissal of natural law. No government has the right to do that and no constitution can grant any government rights beyond those of God.

As a Catholic, my first obligation is not to the Government of the United States, but to the moral law, which only the Catholic Church can fully and correctly interpret and teach. The Church is telling us that contraception, birth control and abortion inducing drugs are always gravely immoral and that cooperation in such immoral acts is always wrong.

The government has no right to demand that any citizen pay for services and products that are gravely sinful. The government does not even have the right to make them available, but that’s a discussion for another thread. No government is above divine law. When the government acts in such a way, it fails to fulfill its moral obligation to its citizens.

No one is first a citizen and then a Catholic. It does not work that way in this Church. The Holy Father has already spoken on this issue and has asked bishops and Catholics to stand up against what amounts to a violation of religious freedom. It would be unfortunate and embarrassing if the pope has to order American Catholics to stand up for morality.

Have you ever heard the parable of the scorpion and the frog?

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Scorpion_and_the_Frog

Go ahead and wail at the injustice of secular institutions if you like. Pretend to be shocked that secularists think they can teach the Church lessons in morality.

But Jesus didn’t waste time petitioning the Roman Empire for a redress of grievances.

Catholics shouldn’t be competing with other charitable organizations, and resting on their laurels when they exceed them, they should be competing with the government to provide services to the poor in health and education.

 

[ajaxbogs]

I just don’t get it. How can a true Catholic support this current administration as evidenced by this demonic mandate? There is NO DOUBT in my mind that Pres Obama would implement 100% tax-payer supported abortion if he could get away with it.

It sickens my soul how these Catholics consistently vote for pro-abortion, pro-gay marriage, anti-family candidates election after election, even with CLEAR Church guidance. Utter hypocrisy as a result of ungodly tradition and blind support of the Democrat Party.

It gladdens my soul to see our wonderful Bishops drawing a line in the sand!!

 

[JReducation]

But before we leave that, let’s consider the charitable activity of a single non-Catholic: Bill Gates. The Gates foundation is estimated to be approximately US$33 billion. How many Catholics have matched or exceeded that charity?

Caritas International, the international arm of Catholic Charities. But that’s neither here nor there. The issue is that the state has no right to impose something immoral on its citizens and it’s doing so.

By doing so, the state is failing. Citizens have every right to protest, even a duty to disobey. No one has the right to command what’s immoral.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF

 

[JReducation]

Caritas International, the international arm of Catholic Charities has actually spent more money on charity than Bill Gates. However, that is not a blemish on Bill Gates, nor is it here nor there. The issue is that the state has no right to impose something immoral on its citizens and it’s doing so.

By doing so, the state is failing. Citizens have every right to protest, even a duty to disobey. No one has the right to command what’s immoral.

What are you and I doing here, defending the state or defending the faith?

The State says it can command what is immoral.

The Faith says that the state has no such right.

The constitution agrees with the faith on this one. The State is at twice at fault. It’s violating the constitution and violating moral law.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF

 

[Nec5]

The Catholic Church has been providing healthcare and healthcare related services to people around the world since the erection of the first monasteries in the 6th century.

Well, didn’t they actually provide healthcare, primitive though it may seem to us now, almost immediately following Christ’s death via charity? Or are you just referring to a more organized systemic type of healthcare?

 

[Nimzovik]

I just don’t get it. How can a true Catholic support this current administration as evidenced by this demonic mandate? There is NO DOUBT in my mind that Pres Obama would implement 100% tax-payer supported abortion if he could get away with it.

It sickens my soul how these Catholics consistently vote for pro-abortion, pro-gay marriage, anti-family candidates election after election, even with CLEAR Church guidance. Utter hypocrisy as a result of ungodly tradition and blind support of the Democrat Party.

It gladdens my soul to see our wonderful Bishops drawing a line in the sand!!

You don’t get it either eh? Me too. I am still trying to close my mouth from the shock of all that the Obama administration does -continuosly! Deeeeeeeep Siiiiiigh! Let’s face it - it is ploitical war on not just all Catholcs but all stripes of Christains and people advocating morality.

 

[Nimzovik]

Caritas International, the international arm of Catholic Charities has actually spent more money on charity than Bill Gates. However, that is not a blemish on Bill Gates, nor is it here nor there. The issue is that the state has no right to impose something immoral on its citizens and it’s doing so.

By doing so, the state is failing. Citizens have every right to protest, even a duty to disobey. No one has the right to command what’s immoral.

What are you and I doing here, defending the state or defending the faith?

The State says it can command what is immoral.

The Faith says that the state has no such right.

The constitution agrees with the faith on this one. The State is at twice at fault. It’s violating the constitution and violating moral law.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF

Succintly and precisely stated. Well done.

 

[Tigg]

Whether you agree or not, here’s an interesting point:

What right do we Catholics have to be shocked and indignant at the latest show of religious persecution from the Obama administration and the Democrat Party? For decades our bishops have insisted, well beyond their competencies as successors to the Apostles, that the state must provide “basic health care” to its citizens, and they have raised no objection to that same state requiring private employers to provide such for their employees. Are we really surprised that Caesar, having been handed the Catholic imprimatur for these powers on a silver paten, has now decided that abortions, contraceptives, and sterilizations constitute “basic health care”? Every sensible libertarian, and many a mainstream “conservative,” saw this coming: why didn’t any of the bishops?

lewrockwell.com/orig13/giunta1.1.1.html

 

[partypilot1]

The USCCB along with seven other Archbishops/Bishops are calling for civil action now up to and including civil disobedience. I consider myself a good Catholic and a good citizen of the United States and would like to stay that way. Firm, legal and peaceful action is needed along with a quick resolution. Tax resistance during the financially catastrophic economy of today would be quickly noticed. I’m not asking anyone to break the law, just legally file for an extension. The extension will show the sheer number of Catholics willing to take a stand for the Church.
This issue goes far beyond centralized healthcare.

 

[jay29]

It amazes me that people are shocked at what the Obama Administration is doing. I knew exactly what ill informed people were voting for in 2008. I suppose better late than never.

 

[jay29]

I just don’t get it. How can a true Catholic support this current administration as evidenced by this demonic mandate? There is NO DOUBT in my mind that Pres Obama would implement 100% tax-payer supported abortion if he could get away with it.

It sickens my soul how these Catholics consistently vote for pro-abortion, pro-gay marriage, anti-family candidates election after election, even with CLEAR Church guidance. Utter hypocrisy as a result of ungodly tradition and blind support of the Democrat Party.

It gladdens my soul to see our wonderful Bishops drawing a line in the sand!!

I work with many ignorant Catholics who vote democrat every time. Even some priests. Abortion is the number one issue in this nation whether people agree with that or not is not up for debate.

Dissent from within is far worse than attacks from the outside.

 

[Jeanne_S]

I wish this would get more publicity and more traction.

But they [the abortion advocates and advocates of immorality] just sweep these evil side effects under the rug.

Amen! Pope Pius XI predicted that contraception would cause the ruination of marriages and families. Using BC pills gets the whole ball rolling down the slippery slope.Women who contracept for long periods of time,then encounter fertility issues.This leads them to using fertility drugs/treatments to obtain a pregnancy.Often times this results in multiple babies.Since the fewer babies in utero,will insure a more successful outcome,these women are no encouraged to do a “selective reduction”

 

[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?

 

[InLight247]

When the government imposes an expense on an employer that violates his moral conscience, the government places that employer on the spot. The employer has to comply in order to continue providing the services or has to close down the services to avoid complying with an immoral regulation.

Placing an employer in such a position threatens those who benefit from those services. The government has a moral obligation to its citizens. Its first moral obligation is to act morally. There is no excuse here. No person of good moral conscience, who understands natural law and principles of ethics can say that the government is secular; therefore, it’s not bound by the moral law.

Even secular government is bound by the moral law. The moral law was not written only into the hearts of those who are believers. The moral law is written into the very fabric of human nature. That’s why classical philosophers referred to it as natural law. It is not imposed by any religion, but by the Creator.

In this case, to pass regulation that risks the healthcare of its citizens is an immoral act. It is a deliberate dismissal of natural law. No government has the right to do that and no constitution can grant any government rights beyond those of God.

As a Catholic, my first obligation is not to the Government of the United States, but to the moral law, which only the Catholic Church can fully and correctly interpret and teach. The Church is telling us that contraception, birth control and abortion inducing drugs are always gravely immoral and that cooperation in such immoral acts is always wrong.

The government has no right to demand that any citizen pay for services and products that are gravely sinful. The government does not even have the right to make them available, but that’s a discussion for another thread. No government is above divine law. When the government acts in such a way, it fails to fulfill its moral obligation to its citizens.

No one is first a citizen and then a Catholic. It does not work that way in this Church. The Holy Father has already spoken on this issue and has asked bishops and Catholics to stand up against what amounts to a violation of religious freedom. It would be unfortunate and embarrassing if the pope has to order American Catholics to stand up for morality.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF

So well said.

It is very sad that some Catholics who are Obama fans blindly support him no matter what.
I personally know quite a few Catholics are like that. No true Catholic can support the law of abortion. In fact, no human being who has a conscience should support such a law.

HHS is not only attacking the root of Catholic faith, it attacks all faith that has moral standard. This immoral law has to be overturned. It is critical. American government used to hear people’s voice until this current administration. The current administration does whatever it wants regardless what the people want.

I urge all Catholics earnestly pray for our bishops and pray for the victory of fighting against this evil HHS.

 

[Bubba_Switzler]

Caritas International, the international arm of Catholic Charities. But that’s neither here nor there.

Caritas International, the international arm of Catholic Charities has actually spent more money on charity than Bill Gates. However, that is not a blemish on Bill Gates, nor is it here nor there.

You are comparing a pool with a foundation by (essentially) one person. (The claim that Catholic charities is the largest charity suffers the same problem.)

And you have yet to explain to us why you are holding secular institutions to a higher moral standard than Catholic institutions.

The issue is that the state has no right to impose something immoral on its citizens and it’s doing so.

By doing so, the state is failing. Citizens have every right to protest, even a duty to disobey. No one has the right to command what’s immoral.

The issue is that the state has no right to impose something immoral on its citizens and it’s doing so.

By doing so, the state is failing. Citizens have every right to protest, even a duty to disobey. No one has the right to command what’s immoral.

What are you and I doing here, defending the state or defending the faith?

The State says it can command what is immoral.

The Faith says that the state has no such right.

The constitution agrees with the faith on this one. The State is at twice at fault. It’s violating the constitution and violating moral law.

You and I both agree that HHS is promulgated an immoral policy. You and I both agree that this is unjust. We are all outraged by this but some of us are not newly outraged.

(The government has been destroying families for generations, read the Moynihan Report of 1965.)

Where we disagree is whether you are an innocent victim in this.

The bishops, who are now pleading for a religious exemption, do not come to us with clean hands.

Obamacare passed by the barest margin and Catholic support was crucial to its passage.

The bishops are not innocent victims of it but are co-conspirators who were betrayed by untrustworthy partners in crime.

Even if the bishops get their religious exemption, what of Catholic businessmen who will still be forced to provide abortion pills for their employees?

So, yes, this is an outrage but there you are, hammer in hand, still pounding away at the nails.

 

[Joe_5859]

Thomas Peters list is now up to 140 bishops (and a few diocesan administrators…let’s not forget that there are some dioceses that do not currently have a bishop).

It’s great to see our bishops at their battle stations.

 

[knewland023]

As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.

 

[Isabel1665]

I will never comply with such unjust mandate, I will pray for strength to stay faithful to God and resist any forceful actions, if jail is the price to pay, then it is, much better than to offend our Lord