Posted on 01/30/2012 10:09:56 AM PST by EBH
Pope Benedict XVI says Roman Catholics in the United States need to understand the "grave threats" to their faith posed by what he calls radical secularism in the political and cultural arenas.
He addressed visiting US bishops Thursday and used the same language in warning that attempts are being made to erode their religious freedom.
Benedict did not explicitly mention it, but the bishops have complained their religious freedom is eroding in the face of growing acceptance of gay marriage and attempts to marginalize faith. The US Conference of Catholic Bishops has recently formed a committee on protecting religious liberty and hired attorneys and a lobbyist to work on the issue.
The Pope said many of the bishops have complained about attempts to deny conscientious objection with regard to cooperation in "intrinsically evil practices." US church leaders have been pressing for a broader religious exception to part of President Barack Obama's health care overhaul that mandates private insurers pay for contraception. The Obama administration has not yet made a decision on the policy and the timing is uncertain.
Bishops also are pressing for broader religious exemptions in US states that have legalized same-gender civil unions or marriage. The vast network of Catholic social services in the United States includes adoption and foster-care placement. Bishops in some states have either shut down adoption programs or have lost their government contracts after refusing to place children with same-gender couples.
Benedict also expressed appreciation that bishops have been more outspoken about American Catholic politicians who don't follow church teaching on abortion and other issues.
(Excerpt) Read more at mb.com.ph ...
Apparently that can't be reliably attributed to any particular source: http://www.johnsanidopoulos.com/2010/11/is-road-to-hell-paved-with-skulls-of.html
Yeah, The Canterbury Tales are very bawdy. I’ll never forget that description.
They could save a lot of money by telling their congregations to vote for only pro-life candidates which would eliminate about 95% of the democrats that Catholics vote for in alarming numbers it seems.
First they came for the unborn.
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
OBAMAS 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
I hope that my priest will read one of these letters that the bishops are sending around to protest the Obama administration’s restrictions on religious freedom and conscience. However, I am not holding my breath. The guy loves Obama, and never mentions anything in his homilies about any of this. The sad truth is that many of the priests I know feel this way. We are fighting a losing battle here I am afraid. Very depressing.
I am Catholic and I think many individual churches that did not read the letter may be on the ‘social justice’ band wagon.
I recently went looking for a new parish and many Catholic church websites clearly state that they have “social justice ministries.”
I suspect if you did not hear the letter...then you check your source.
PS. Perhaps you should drop off a copy to him or contact your Arch Bishop? Take the stand, the opportunity is in front of you.
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