Religious Freedom Reaffirmed; US Bishops Unanimous

Zenit.org ^ | June 14, 2012 | USCCB.org

[Salvation]

Religious Freedom Reaffirmed; US Bishops Unanimous

Reiterate Protest at Mandate to Cover Abortifacients, Contraception

ATLANTA, Georgia, JUNE 14, 2012 (Zenit.org).- The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) reaffirmed by a unanimous voice vote Wednesday a recent statement of the USCCB Administrative Committee regarding the federal government mandate that would require religious employers to provide free insurance coverage for abortifacients, sterilization and contraception.

At the end of their hour-long discussion of religious freedom in the United States, Cardinal Timothy Dolan, president of USCCB, asked the body of bishops if it would be willing to declare its approval of “United for Religious Freedom,” the unanimous statement of the Administrative Committee issued on March 14. Bishop Stephen Blaire of Stockton, California, seconded Cardinal Dolan's motion, which was put to the body by a voice vote and unanimously affirmed.

The document identifies three basic problems with the mandate: “an unwarranted government definition of religion,” “a mandate to act against our teachings,” and “a violation of personal civil rights.”

“United for Religious Freedom” is available on the USCCB Web site at: www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/religious-liberty/march-14-statement-on-religious-freedom-and-hhs-mandate.cfm

[RobbyS]

Universal health care, but not necessarily as provided by the state. Pope,Leo made it clear that health care was first of a matter for the person,the family and church. The principle of subsidarity underlies the Church’s positions on health, education and personal welfare.

[the invisib1e hand]

The principle of subsidarity underlies the Church’s positions on health, education and personal welfare.

In theory. I wouldn't say it does to the USCCB.

[Salvation]

What You [Catholics] Need to Know: Subsidiarity, [Catholic/Orthodox Caucus]

[the invisib1e hand]

Maybe you should ping Cardinal Dolan with that.

[Salvation]

What is it that you dislike so about Cardinal Dolan and the USCCB?

You are a Catholic, aren’t you?

[the invisib1e hand]

Why a ridiculous question. I simply quote the man, take him at his word, point out the glaring failure of USCCB to say anything beforehand about the travesty that became "obamacare", the blatant, irresponsible hypocrisy that says, effectively, "we're OK with state control of the healthcare industry -- we just want to be exempt", and all you can do is ask why I "don't like him"?

Why are you so blind in your devotion?

[Salvation]

What You [Catholics] Need to Know: Subsidiarity, [Catholic/Orthodox Caucus]

This link should work. Sorry about the other one. Do you understand this principle?

[Salvation]

I don’t see any link up there to that point of yours. Perhaps you can supply more specific information.

[RobbyS]

The USCCB is not even a synod, but a gathering of the country’s bishops. Its opinions do not bind its members, nor the laity of this country. They deserve as hearing and respect, but only on account of their several offices as bishops.

[RobbyS]

The state—rather the law— DOES “control,” or rather regulate the health industry. Historically, of course, the States have the police power. What is bad about this law is that the federal government is now claiming the authority that once lay with the States, and that authority is royal. The Chief Executive is acting like a monarch, and he is not.

[the invisib1e hand]

If Dolans own words (as circulated several times to parishes) don’t convince you, what is the point? It’s more convenient for you to fault the argument than the evidence. I find that very much like the mindset that refuses to acknowledge any uncomfortable truths about Barak Obama. I never understood that mind, and I never will. Again, do your own homework

[Coleus]

For the record: where were they when it could have been prevented? Some of them were supporting “universal health care.” >>

I agree, the bishops were reticent when Obamacare was proposed while pelosi could say anything with impunity like “we have to pass the bill before we read the bill.”

I find that some bishops and priests often side with democrat positions especially with social justice and immigration issues and will work to continue the CCHD which funds the more leftist, socialist and progressive agencies in America.

About 10 yrs. ago, I went to my county election commission to look up some voter registrations and noticed that many priests and nuns in my town and the towns surrounding me, about 30 in all were registered DEMOCRAT!

[JoeFromSidney]

For the record: where were they when it could have been prevented? Some of them were supporting “universal health care.”

The Catholic bishops have been demanding socialized medicine since 1919. They have supported all kinds of government measures that trampled on the rights of their fellow citizens, in the name of "social justice." Now that their ox has been gored, they suddenly want the support of those fellow citizens in the name of "religious freedom." They're right to demand religious freedom, but it may be a hard sell, given their past shenanigans.

[the invisib1e hand]

I agree, the bishops were reticent when Obamacare was proposed while pelosi could say anything with impunity like “we have to pass the bill before we read the bill.”

that's a very good point. obamacare was ushered in and promoted by Catholics.

I will go one step further and reiterate what i've been saying for 4 years now: Ted Kennedy delivered the Catholic vote to the Empty Suit in order to have socialized medicine, as prototyped under Kennedy's tutelage in Massachusetts, nationalized. He probably stipulated that Catholics be put in charge of administering it, in a textbook example of the Road to Hell being paved with good intentions.

As for the motive behind Kennedy's obsession to make socialized medicine a reality, I can only speculate...perhaps it was his attempt to assuage a guilty conscience. Perhaps it was given him as penance when made a confession following a party on Chappaquiddick Island.