Posted on 02/10/2012 5:30:23 PM PST by Rutles4Ever
February 10, 2012
WASHINGTON – The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) have issued the following statement:
The Catholic bishops have long supported access to life-affirming healthcare for all, and the conscience rights of everyone involved in the complex process of providing that healthcare. That is why we raised two serious objections to the "preventive services" regulation issued by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) in August 2011.
First, we objected to the rule forcing private health plans — nationwide, by the stroke of a bureaucrat's pen—to cover sterilization and contraception, including drugs that may cause abortion. All the other mandated "preventive services" prevent disease, and pregnancy is not a disease. Moreover, forcing plans to cover abortifacients violates existing federal conscience laws. Therefore, we called for the rescission of the mandate altogether.
Second, we explained that the mandate would impose a burden of unprecedented reach and severity on the consciences of those who consider such "services" immoral: insurers forced to write policies including this coverage; employers and schools forced to sponsor and subsidize the coverage; and individual employees and students forced to pay premiums for the coverage. We therefore urged HHS, if it insisted on keeping the mandate, to provide a conscience exemption for all of these stakeholders—not just the extremely small subset of "religious employers" that HHS proposed to exempt initially.
Today, the President has done two things.
First, he has decided to retain HHS's nationwide mandate of insurance coverage of sterilization and contraception, including some abortifacients. This is both unsupported in the law and remains a grave moral concern. We cannot fail to reiterate this, even as so many would focus exclusively on the question of religious liberty.
Second, the President has announced some changes in how that mandate will be administered, which is still unclear in its details. As far as we can tell at this point, the change appears to have the following basic contours:
·It would still mandate that all insurers must include coverage for the objectionable services in all the policies they would write. At this point, it would appear that self-insuring religious employers, and religious insurance companies, are not exempt from this mandate.
·It would allow non-profit, religious employers to declare that they do not offer such coverage. But the employee and insurer may separately agree to add that coverage. The employee would not have to pay any additional amount to obtain this coverage, and the coverage would be provided as a part of the employer's policy, not as a separate rider.
·Finally, we are told that the one-year extension on the effective date (from August 1, 2012 to August 1, 2013) is available to any non-profit religious employer who desires it, without any government application or approval process.
These changes require careful moral analysis, and moreover, appear subject to some measure of change. But we note at the outset that the lack of clear protection for key stakeholders—for self-insured religious employers; for religious and secular for-profit employers; for secular non-profit employers; for religious insurers; and for individuals—is unacceptable and must be corrected. And in the case where the employee and insurer agree to add the objectionable coverage, that coverage is still provided as a part of the objecting employer's plan, financed in the same way as the rest of the coverage offered by the objecting employer. This, too, raises serious moral concerns.
We just received information about this proposal for the first time this morning; we were not consulted in advance. Some information we have is in writing and some is oral. We will, of course, continue to press for the greatest conscience protection we can secure from the Executive Branch. But stepping away from the particulars, we note that today's proposal continues to involve needless government intrusion in the internal governance of religious institutions, and to threaten government coercion of religious people and groups to violate their most deeply held convictions. In a nation dedicated to religious liberty as its first and founding principle, we should not be limited to negotiating within these parameters. The only complete solution to this religious liberty problem is for HHS to rescind the mandate of these objectionable services.
We will therefore continue—with no less vigor, no less sense of urgency—our efforts to correct this problem through the other two branches of government. For example, we renew our call on Congress to pass, and the Administration to sign, the Respect for Rights of Conscience Act. And we renew our call to the Catholic faithful, and to all our fellow Americans, to join together in this effort to protect religious liberty and freedom of conscience for all.
I do hope this is real and not some hoax. Haven’t heard a thing about it on Fox (maybe it’s still too early).
Obama Epic Fail!
Yeah, they crawled into the sack with Satan, and then when he wants his due they get all moral and stuff.
Oh, it’s real. Follow the link above.
Not all of the bishops were on-board, but too many were. I say better late than never.
Catholic ping!
“Second, the President has announced some changes in how that mandate will be administered, which is still unclear in its details.”
It’s like a concientious objector during the Vietnam War. (the real ones,,,not the fake ones) They get out of serving because they don’t believe in violence, but then the govt. says they still have to buy the weapons for others to use to kill.
We wouldn’t even be having this discussion if we didn’t have a MARXIST for a pResident.
I'm not coming down off the mountain with the tablets here...but there is a reason why over the last 5,000 years and most recently in China and the old USSR, central planning and BIG GUBMINT has been the enemy of religious freedom. Statists want you to worship the STATE as God. They don't want any competition.
Thanks for posting the actual statement from the Bishops.
This is a good deal stronger than the earlier news stories reporting on it. They all quote that polite bit about its not being clear and that they will wait for more information.
But the rest of the statement is certainly strong enough, and it concludes with a determination to pursue a legislative solution to this fascist imposition on religions freedom.
Note also that it demands religious freedom for ALL who object to abortion, not just Catholic hospitals and schools. I hadn’t seen that in any of the earlier news reports. Very glad to see it here.
Correct. Weak statement. This “accommodation” should have been categorically and publicly denounced b4 Obama finished speaking.
As to this bishop Dolan, I suggest that instead of going to Rome to be promoted, that he check into a Catholic hospital to have a spine installed.
Both Dolan and the whore (Sister Carole Judas Ascariot Keehan) have given Obama ample political cover over this critical weekend. Disgusting and shameful.
If the Bishops hold their ground, this is good.
Obama didn’t do a damn thing but shift the unconstitutional rule from one party to another.
He is a wannabe dictator, and we have to fire his narrow ass in November.
Statists will take advantage of people of faith when it suits their purpose...then crucify them.
Next 0bama will force Jewish and Muslim schools to serve pork.
People of ALL faiths need to stand tall for religious liberty.
The unclear nature of Obama’s new plan is mentioned in this Bishops’ letter. They bring up the religious insurers for example. Then they also mention the need to address other non-profits as well as secular businesses who may have a need for a conscience clause waiver.
This brings to mind that many Catholic and Christian bookstores all over the country. These folks are usually lay people of faith. Why should they have to pay for medical care which is against their faith?
I think the bishops are wise to evaluate all the nuances of the entire issue. Notice how they are now raising the issue of legistlative action to address the religious concerns of everyone ion this country, not just the churches.
I feel much better after reading this response. I do not think they are going to cave under the Obama pressure. Notice again that they mention the fact that freedom of religion cannot be negotiated, as it is a fundamental right.
I W I S H it was for Constitutional reasons rather than their objection to an injustice directed at them.
I also wish they'd realize that without the USA they would face an existential threat they may not be able to withstand.
Two questions:
1. Did you read the statement?
2. Is English your first language?
Next he’ll want to have everyone fed by the government. After all, it’s necessary to health. Way more than contraception. We must be fed, and fed properly.
If the Bishops cave, the nation will be so demoralized I’m not sure we could recover. Seriously.
(No I’m not Catholic, I’m evangelical)
"It would still, in practice, compel the inclusion of contraception coverage in the insurance policies of private religious institutions. The only 'change' is semantic, calling that contraception coverage a 'free benefit' provided by the insurer, even though the insurer would not be providing any such 'free benefit' except as a direct corollary of the private religious institutions purchase of the insurance."
"Thus, the reply to your un-Constitutional subversion of freedom of religion - guaranteed by the First Amendment you f'ing prick - remains the same:"
"WE WILL NOT COMPLY."
Thanks for the feedback. Your sarcasm is so helpful to constructive dialogue.
I suggest you visit NRO, hotair or other conservative sites that blasted the timidity of Bishop Dolan and other leity today.
Under Obama's original proposal, religious organizations would offer a base healthcare plan to all employees.
Female employees who wished to obtain optional contraceptive services would then be provided these additional products by the religious organizations "free of charge" - although the religious organizations would be charged for the additional services by their insurance carriers.
NOW, Obama wants to REQUIRE the religious organizations' insurance carriers to provide these optional contraceptive services DIRECTLY to the female employees [who want them] for FREE.
This is all well and good - AS LONG AS THE PRICE FOR THE BASE PLAN [CHARGED OF ALL EMPLOYEES AND PAID FOR BY THE RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS] DOES NOT INCREASE.
IF the insurance carrier INCREASES the price of the base plan [for all employees] EVEN ONE PENNY, then the religious organizations ARE paying for contraceptive services.
Insurance carriers ARE NOT in the charity business - SO YOU CAN BET THAT THEY WILL PASS ALONG THE COST.
OBAMA'S NEW PLAN IS BOGUS !!!
Bishops Renew Call To Legislative Action On Religious Liberty
EDITORIAL: Obama’s free abortion pills
Hannity on now with Priests, Pastors and Rabbis. Please watch
The Obama HHS 'Compromise' Switches the Tiger for the Lion (Not all Catholics buying Obama's bull)
U.S. bishops ‘express concerns’ about Obama mandate ‘accommodation’
What Compromise? This Policy Leaves Religious Liberty in Peril and Planned Parenthood Smiling (Albert Mohler Opinion)
Don't Be Deceived! Evil Obama Policy Now Even MORE Evil!
Obama’s Contraceptive 'Compromise' Doesn't Pass the Smell Test ("It doesn't change a thing")
Compromise or Accommodation, it’s still unacceptable. (updated from Catholic Vote)
Pres. Obama’s “Plan B” compromise, Sr. Keehan, and the Magisterium of Nuns
Land Says Obama Mandate Most Anti-Catholic Government Action in 150 Years
Motive, Means and Opportunity: Obama’s Assault on Catholics
(Exempt Catholics) Joe Biden, Bill Daley warned of contraceptive backlash
(Tim) Thomas makes second political statement (Stands With Catholics)
Southern Baptist leader: If Obama mandate isn’t changed, Christians will go to jail
Over 150 congressional leaders demand repeal of HHS mandate
Boehner vows to overturn Obama’s birth control coverage rule
Boehner: Congress to overturn birth control policy if Obama does not reverse course
O'Brien says Archdiocese of Baltimore won't offer birth control coverage
Archbishop of San Francisco says Obama ruling strikes at religious freedom
How Obama Lost the Catholic Vote
‘I am going to stick with fellow Catholics’ in Pres. Obama’s war on Catholics. Wherein Fr. Z rants.
Unholy War
Six Things Everyone Should Know about the HHS Mandate
Santorum: Obama Hostile to Christians
Understanding Oppostion to the HHS Mandate (Part 1): Why the Church Won’t Pay for Contracept
The Bishops Chickens Coming Home to Roost.
65 Orthodox Church bishops call on Obama to ‘rescind’ the ‘unjust’ contraception mandate
Doug Kmiec Writes Obama: 'Friendship Will Not Permit Me to Disregard Duty to Faith and Country'
Catholic Outcry Over Obama Administration's Birth Control Decision Could Factor In Presidential Race
Standing with the Bishops [Catholic Caucus]
Updated: *167* Bishops (More Than 90% of Dioceses) Have Spoken Out Against Obama/HHS Mandate
Outrage!… Military Tells Chaplains What They Can and Can’t Say About HHS/ObamaAssault on Religion
Updated: *153* Bishops (Over 80% of Dioceses) Have Spoken Out Against Obama/HHS Mandate
An Affront Catholics Agree On [Liberal and Conservative Catholics Against Obama Mandate]
Army Silenced Chaplains Last Sunday
Catholic Military Archdiocese & Chaplains interfered with last Sunday by Pres. Obama’s Admin
The Anti-Catholic President v. the Catholic Bishops
Sen. Rubio introduces bill to reverse Obama birth control mandate
Churches balk at birth control rule - Catholics won’t comply, Bishop Kevin Rhoades says
Protestants and Jews declare to White House: We stand with Catholics
Checking the Air Outside [Bp. Zubik's follow up to Obama's “To Hell with You”]
Mohler [Southern Baptist] Says Insurance Mandate Not Just 'Catholic' Issue
An Open Letter to President Barack Obama Concerning Recent Tyranny (With Pictures!)
Lincoln bishop: prepare for 'suffering' under HHS mandate
Bishop David Zubik confronts Obama
Obama’s ‘war on the church’
Pope hits out at 'radical secularism'
‘We Will Not Comply’: Catholic Leaders Distribute Letter Slamming Obama Admin Contraceptive Mandate
‘We Will Not Comply’: Catholic Leaders Distribute Letter Slamming Obama Admin Contraceptive Mandate
Bruskewitz: Fight Insurance Ruling [Sebelius a "bitter, fallen away Catholic"]
Letter from Archbishop John G. Vlazny on the matter of freedom of conscience and decisions by HHS
Bishop Olmsted's Letter to Catholics [Catholic Caucus]
Liberty for the Amish & Quakers but not Catholics. . .
Contraception mandate prompts Peoria bishop to instate St. Michael Prayer (Catholic Caucus)
Phoenix bishop (Olmstead): defy feds on birth control
A letter from Archbishop Dennis M. Schnurr concerning HHS edict
Speak honestly: abortion is ‘the killing of tiny human beings in the womb’ – Denver bishop
Bishop [Daniel Jenky] Blasts Secularist Intolerance, Calls For ‘Assertive Action’ to Defend Church
(Pittsburgh Bishop Zubik comments:) HHS delays rule on contraceptive coverage
Dolan: Natural law, not religious preference, dictates all life sacred
Religious leaders blast HHS over contraception mandate
Mandated Contraception, Sterilization: Caesar Demands Church Violate Conscience
OBAMA’S CONTEMPT FOR RELIGIOUS LIBERTY (mandates coverage of sterilization & contraception)
Implications of Obama Admin move to force Cath hospitals to provide contraception and sterilizations
Catholic doctors’ group launches petition against contraception mandate
Contraception mandate tramples religious freedom, US bishops say
95 percent of the dioceses isn’t bad. Only four bishops have not spoken out against Obama.
One of the Bishop’s letter actually started with the words, “Go to hell, Obama.”
Female reverend on Foxnews praised obama for bending over backwards to try to accomaodate the “unreasonable” Catholic bishops. She then went on to say that late term abortions are a blessing.
That letter sounds prophetic!
There are no female reverends in the Catholic Church. Was it a Catholic nun, maybe?
Do you have a link to that letter?
Video or “reverend” name?
Meanwhile...
That stuff is beneath a messiah- the First Clydesdale has that job.
I saw that bitch. Couldn’t believe what I was hearing.
I think that she was Episcopalian.
You must be joking. :) I wish...
Are you quite sure of that? Did not the letter begin with "Go to hell." and then go on to explain that that is what Obama is telling the Catholic Church?
I went to both sites and did not find the blasts. Please supply links. Thank you.
Doesn’t this statement assume we are dealing with an hnest broker? What about Bart Stupak (I know he may have been intentionally blind to what would happen...)? Obama lies, and misrepresents. Anyone remember the meeting years back he had in the Oval Office with business leaders, and when they all left, he lied about what what was said/agreed to? He cannot be trusted.
Bart Stupak.
Does the Church care whether or not I am forced to provide abortion coverage to my employees?
Or, are they concerned with their own freedoms only??
Oh, I agree that the Church is seriously opposed to one specific clause of Obamacare.
They want it excised so they can go back to supporting this wonderful, humane law for the rest of us.
But we note at the outset that the lack of clear protection for key stakeholders—for self-insured religious employers; for religious and secular for-profit employers; for secular non-profit employers; for religious insurers; and for individuals—is unacceptable and must be corrected. And in the case where the employee and insurer agree to add the objectionable coverage, that coverage is still provided as a part of the objecting employer's plan, financed in the same way as the rest of the coverage offered by the objecting employer. This, too, raises serious moral concerns.The bishops are indeed expanding their objection to include everyone who has moral reservations and not just religious institutions.
But I hope I am wrong. Bump for future reference.
Was just flipping the dial, came across a show on MSNBC called...Up Yours with Chris Hayes...pretty laughable, a panel of 5 gay fag dems saying how brilliant Obama was with this issue....
Unflippinbelievable
Thank you for stating (no pun intended) the bottom line. Please post an occasional reminder to us of what is really happening with this issue.
It’s the “Principal” not the money!! The money is still coming from all of us.
Quite frankly, I’m as pissed at these Bishops for letting this go on so long as I am at Barky.
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