No, dear friend! They are assessing the game plan to their advantage. Their position is solid and unchanging .. that is good. To support her position, Sebelius indicated that nearly 98% of catholic women have used birth control at some point in time, for medical reasons. In fact, 30+ years ago, my doctor put me on birth control to treat endometriosis. The objective was to eliminate the endometriosis so that I could become pregnant. It didn't work. However, that places me, a non contracepting catholic woman, in Sebelius' statistic. Do you see how cleverly the snake slithers through the grass? Let's be frank and honest. The actual number of young catholic women who take birth control to limit the size of their families, is well below that number. Sebelius is using that statistic to manipulate the POTUS in her direction, by referring to it as medicine.
The bishops are walking through a mine field that include catholic women on both sides of the issue. While they can never condone the use of contraceptives and related drugs, they must navigate the field in a way that does not alienate contracepting women from the Church. Remember, they have until January to formulate a decision on this matter. The ball has been tossed back to their court, by Obama. Rather than make an impulsive decision, they have wisely decided to place this item on their Spring agenda. In the meantime, we have Bill Donohue and a host of other catholics out there to scream 'foul'. As Donohue noted on Fox this afternoon, his insurance provider is Christian Brothers. As a catholic organization, how can they pay for contraceptives that go against their conscience? Besides, with any organization that provides insurance coverage to their employees, the employer is funding all or a portion of that insurance. And now, to compound matters, the insurance companies are also assessing the situation. Who will pay them for this? The issue is far more complex than what we see and deserves time for a proper response.
Next week, Timothy Dolan, President of the USCCB will leave for Rome and his elevation to cardinal. Let's remember him and ALL the bishops in our prayers. God knows they need them.
I am glad you have more confidence in them than I. I agree the teachings of the Church are solid and unchanging, but I am afraid that is not always the case with the USCCB.
IMHO, I would rather have a Fr. Z in my foxhole than a Cardinal Wuerl.
Excellent analysis of the new “accommodation”.
In my opinion the Bishops were outmaneuvered by Obama and his merry band of Leftists, on ObamaCare.
Let’s hope and pray that memory is at the forefront of their thinking, while they seek to negotiate with Obama and Sebelius.
Pres. Obamas 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: Obamas 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 isnt changed, Christians will go to jail
Over 150 congressional leaders demand repeal of HHS mandate
Boehner vows to overturn Obamas 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. Obamas 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 Wont 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 Cant 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. Obamas 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 wont 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
Obamas 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
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