Health, abortion issues split Obama administration, Catholic groups

[Digitonomy]

A contentious battle between Catholic groups and the Obama administration has flared in recent days, fueled by the new health care law and ongoing divisions over access to abortion and birth control.

The latest dispute centers on the Department of Health and Human Service’s decision in late September to end funding to the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops to help victims of human trafficking, or modern-day slavery. The church group had overseen nationwide services to victims since 2006 but was denied a new grant in favor of three other groups.

The bishops organization, in line with the church’s teachings, had refused to refer trafficking victims for contraceptive or abortion services. The American Civil Liberties Union sued and HHS officials said they made a policy decision to award the grants to agencies that would refer women to those services…

The fight escalates an already difficult relationship between the government and some Catholics over several issues. The bishops fiercely oppose the administration’s decision in February to no longer defend the federal law barring the recognition of same-sex marriage. Dozens of Catholic groups also have objected in recent weeks to an HHS mandate — issued under the health care law — that requires private insurers to provide women with contraceptives without co-payments or other out-of-pocket charges.
Source

 

[_Abyssinia]

One good thing could come from this; the awakening of Catholics who are ‘‘in the middle’’ on Obama.

Catholics don’t like being attacked for simply being Catholic, said an op-ed in the Hill. Mandating Catholic institutions to cover contraception/abortificants is an example of this.

 

[_Abyssinia]

I have to share. This is one of the best things I have heard today, the policy director of NARAL Pro Choice America has said:

“We consider the two biggest opponents on the other side the Catholic bishops and National Right to Life," said Donna Crane, policy director of NARAL Pro-Choice America. "They are extremely heavy-handed on this issue.”

One of the peculiar statements though is:

“The bishops don’t represent all the Catholic voices. We have an ally in several Catholic organizations, mostly comprised of nuns," she said. "And they’re at the front lines. That’s where health care is delivered, by them, in the hospitals. They provide the services.”

huffingtonpost.com/2011/11/01/the-men-behind-the-war-on_n_1069406.html?ref=fb&src=sp&comm_ref=false

I don’t know why they come out with statistics about how non practicing Catholics think contraception use is acceptable etc. It is not the Bishops who are out of touch with those ‘‘Catholics,’’ it it those that call themselves Catholic but think contraception, abortion etc. is acceptable that are out of touch with the teachings with the Church.

If the Catholic vote was more organized it could be of huge sway in American politics.