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Catholic Bishops: Don't Revise, Rescind
National Review ^ | 2/11/12 | George Weigel

Posted on 02/12/2012 5:08:31 AM PST by Servant of the Cross

Saturday morning’s Washington Post headline and first sub-headline, page one and above-the-fold, nicely captured the confusions that prevailed as of 6 p.m. Friday, in the matter of tweaks to the “contraceptive mandate” issued by the Obama administration’s Department of Health and Human Services: “Obama shifts on birth control / Catholic leaders open to plan.”

Well, no, and no.

The administration “shifted” on nothing. It simply decreed that insurers, not employers, must provide “preventive services” (including sterilization and abortifacient drugs), a shell game that has been variously and accurately described as a “fraud” (Andrew McCarthy, in the Corner) and an “absurdity” (the Wall Street Journal). More to the point, as Yuval Levin pointed out shortly after President Obama and HHS Secretary Sebelius announced their “accommodation,” the newly tweaked regulations “would not actually change the moral circumstances at issue in any way.”

Later in the day, on the PBS News Hour, Ray Suarez confronted Secretary Sebelius with the obvious: Someone was going to pay for the contraceptives provided, and who, if not those who purchased the insurance that had to include these “preventive services?” The secretary then took the absurdity to a new level by claiming that none of this would cost anyone anything, as there was empirical evidence showing that readily available contraception lowered the overall costs to the health-care system by reducing the rate of pregnancy. All of which was, on a much graver matter, reminiscent of an old WPA poster-turned-postcard that I recently saw at the Grand Canyon, which extolled Grand Canyon National Park as “A Free Government Service.” Right.

The question on some minds as of 6 p.m. Friday night, though, was whether the Catholic bishops, who had taken the point in opposing the HHS mandate since its announcement on January 20, grasped that they had been played for fools by the administration. A rather anodyne initial reaction from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops to the Obama/Sebelius “accommodation” had sent the blogosphere into turmoil Friday afternoon. Charges that the bishops were “caving” were soon flying all over cyberspace, charges that seemed to accept at face value the administration’s self-satisfaction over the “accommodation,” in which Obama and Sebelius had been reinforced by the likes of Sister Carol Keehan, president of the Catholic Health Association, and Father John Jenkins, C.S.C., president of Notre Dame, both of whom were quick out of the blocks to praise the administration’s moves.

But the bishops hadn’t caved, and even if they had lost the first battle of the spin-cycle, they certainly hadn’t lost the war. It’s a war they are determined to fight and win, legislatively and/or judicially, and they will do so with the solidarity of allies across the American religious spectrum.

The USCCB’s developed statement on the administration’s “accommodation” came late on Friday, about 6:30 p.m. EST, but irrespective of the timing, the statement made several things abundantly clear:

1) There was no “deal” with the administration and no “deal” was possible under the terms laid out in Friday’s “accommodation.”

2) The “accommodation” failed to address the legitimate concerns of key actors in the heath-care system, including “self-insured religious employers,” “religious and secular for-profit employers,” “secular non-profit employers,” and individuals, such that the proposed new regulations were, simply, “unacceptable.”

3) The “accommodation” continued the disturbing process of “needless government intrusion in the internal governance of religious institutions” and threatened “government coercion of religious people and groups . . .”

4) Thus the religious freedom of institutions and men and women of conscience remained gravely imperiled by the tweaked HHS mandate and “the only solution to this . . . problem is for HHS to rescind the mandate of these objectionable services.”

Now there is the sound-bite for anyone wishing to explain the opinion of real “Catholic leaders” on the Sunday talk shows and during the coming weeks: “Don’t revise, rescind.”

This is not, in other words, a situation analogous to conscription laws, where a humane society makes provision for the pacifist’s conscientious objection to a just law. In the case of the HHS mandate, tweaked or untweaked, the law itself is unjust, and must be fought until it is undone.

This USCCB critique of the tweaked mandate was spelled out further in a letter to the entire body of American bishops signed by Cardinal-designate Timothy M. Dolan and the four other bishops with lead responsibility for the Catholic response to HHS. The letter was originally sent Friday night to a closed website that only bishops can access, but it promptly leaked (and may well have been deliberately leaked). The letter bluntly stated that the administration’s new policy “does not meet our standard of respecting the religious liberty and moral convictions of all stakeholders in the health coverage transaction.”

Then came the commitment to pursue the war against the mandate on all fronts:

“We remain fully committed to the defense of our religious liberty and we strongly protest the violation of our freedom of religion that has not been addressed. We continue to work for the repeal of the mandate. We have grave reservations that the government is intruding in the definition of who is and who is not a religious employer . . .”

The media spin notwithstanding, this is not a matter of “shifts” on “birth control” by the administration; it’s a matter of a grotesque overreach by state power, one that threatens the entire fabric of civil society as well as the first of American liberties, religious freedom. That is why the judicial challenge to the HHS mandate will be mounted on an ecumenical and inter-religious basis, as the protest against the mandate has been. And that is why legislative attempts to reverse what Obama and Sebelius have wrought have drawn bipartisan support.

Perhaps, one day, Sister Carol Keehan and Father John Jenkins will grasp this. But the bishops have, and they’re ultimately the Catholic leaders who count. Whatever the defects in the bishops’ ability to play the spin-cycle game with dexterity, what counts here is the substance, and on the substance there is solid and durable agreement among the bishops. And that, too, counts, for it is on the substance that the war will be fought, and won.


TOPICS: Government; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: mandate; obamacare; weigel
Great article and points made by Weigel. To be fair, the Bishops will never win a spin-cycle with the media. And generally, they are called to be 'lovers' not 'fighters'.

However, When in the Course of human events, it become necessary .....

1 posted on 02/12/2012 5:08:41 AM PST by Servant of the Cross
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To: Servant of the Cross
For those who won't read the OP in its entirety, here is a money quote

"The media spin notwithstanding, this is not a matter of “shifts” on “birth control” by the administration; it’s a matter of a grotesque overreach by state power, one that threatens the entire fabric of civil society as well as the first of American liberties, religious freedom."

2 posted on 02/12/2012 5:19:48 AM PST by don-o (He will not share His glory and He will NOT be mocked! Blessed be the name of the Lord forever.)
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To: Servant of the Cross

Thanks for posting...we will see this Sun am, the “spin” for the great Dear Leader.


3 posted on 02/12/2012 5:24:53 AM PST by Recovering Ex-hippie (NEWT in 2012)
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To: Servant of the Cross; netmilsmom; thefrankbaum; Tax-chick; GregB; saradippity; Berlin_Freeper; ...
  Catholic Ping
Please freepmail me if you want on/off this list

 

4 posted on 02/12/2012 5:33:58 AM PST by NYer ("Be kind to every person you meet. For every person is fighting a great battle." St. Ephraim)
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To: Servant of the Cross
"Whatever the defects in the bishops’ ability to play the spin-cycle game with dexterity, what counts here is the substance"

It's quite comforting to see that the Bishops are not adroit at playing the media spin cycle. They are followers of a few millennia of conviction, not a few seconds of spin.

5 posted on 02/12/2012 5:45:24 AM PST by norwaypinesavage (Galileo: In science, the authority of a thousand is not worth the humble reasoning of one individual)
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To: Servant of the Cross

Sec Seblius “that readily available contraception lowered the overall costs to the health-care system by reducing the rate of pregnancy. “

Since when is less population good for a country, especially when we are not replacing ourselves.

Human Life and our ability to be part of that creation is God’s gift to us and the reward is to be with Him in heaven.


6 posted on 02/12/2012 5:58:03 AM PST by ADSUM (Body of Christ is the Church, gathered around the crucified risen Lord and fed by Him in Communion.)
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To: ADSUM

There is a sad irony in that America has a shortfall of 50 million workers that are needed to fund Social Security and Medicare for some of the same people who murdered 50 million babies over the past 38 years.


7 posted on 02/12/2012 6:44:43 AM PST by Tzfat
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To: Servant of the Cross

Me to USCCB: You shouldn’t have backed obama in 2008.


8 posted on 02/12/2012 7:27:31 AM PST by goodwithagun (My gun has killed fewer people than Ted Kennedy's car.)
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To: Servant of the Cross
Had to go 'n find that one. Mind-boggling.


9 posted on 02/12/2012 7:33:28 AM PST by RetroSexual
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To: goodwithagun
The USCCB did NOT back 0bama in 2008. Yes, there are closet liberals in the USCCB staff, and in 2008 some Bishops as well, who were able to "water down" the USCCB 2008 Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship statement to allow for some 'unfaithful' catholics to think they could justify a vote for 0, even though they couldn't based on the document.

Unfortunately, too many catholics are that in name only. 2012 will be much different I assure you. And the Bishops are leading the charge.

10 posted on 02/12/2012 7:37:59 AM PST by Servant of the Cross (the Truth will set you free)
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To: Servant of the Cross
Catholic Bishops: Don't Revise, Rescind

Don't count on either! Throw your support behind a candidate who has promised to repeal obamacare altogether and who has NEVER supported any form of socialized medicine or individual mandates! All it takes is a word or two...

11 posted on 02/12/2012 8:34:34 AM PST by pgkdan (Rick Santorum 2012. Conservative's last, best chance!)
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To: Servant of the Cross
To be fair, the Bishops will never win a spin-cycle with the media.

pretty good at spinning everything else, though, including their own complete and utter failure as watchmen.

Too-little-too-late alert.

12 posted on 02/12/2012 9:06:11 AM PST by the invisib1e hand (religion + guns = liberty)
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To: Servant of the Cross
To be fair, the Bishops will never win a spin-cycle with the media.

pretty good at spinning everything else, though, including their own complete and utter failure as watchmen.

Too-little-too-late alert.

13 posted on 02/12/2012 9:06:19 AM PST by the invisib1e hand (religion + guns = liberty)
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To: Servant of the Cross
Our former bishop, Bishop R. Daniel Conlon (now the bishop of Jollet [sp] Indiana), published a how to vote Catholic insert for our October 2008 bulletins. He wrote that Catholics should vote for those who understand that affordable health care is a universal human right and those who understand that no human being is illegal. As a USCCB member, he was actively campaigning for obama.
14 posted on 02/12/2012 10:28:37 AM PST by goodwithagun (My gun has killed fewer people than Ted Kennedy's car.)
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To: goodwithagun
Updated: *167* Bishops (More Than 90% of Dioceses) Have Spoken Out Against Obama/HHS Mandate
15 posted on 02/12/2012 11:32:24 AM PST by Servant of the Cross (the Truth will set you free)
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To: Servant of the Cross; NYer
" in which Obama and Sebelius had been reinforced by the likes of Sister Carol Keehan, president of the Catholic Health Association, and Father John Jenkins, C.S.C., president of Notre Dame, both of whom were quick out of the blocks to praise the administration’s moves. "

I pray that the supporting cover provided by these two traitorous individuals in support of the wicked and evil policies of President Obortion will itself be summarily aborted (perhaps by a rapid and complete interior conversion to the morally right side of all these issues by these two "Catholics").
16 posted on 02/12/2012 1:35:22 PM PST by Heart-Rest ("Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh; is anything too hard for me?" Jeremiah 32:27)
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To: Servant of the Cross
Lew: Obama's latest stance on birth-control mandate final, puts issue to rest (CAPTION)
Pat Buchanan: 'Obama is trampling on God's turf' (Video)
W.H. official: Contraceptive rule stands
Obama chief of staff: No more compromise, contraceptive rule is done deal
Bishops Reject White House’s New Plan on Contraception (Obama continues his "War On Religion")
Faith/Pro-Life Leaders to Challenge Mandate by Praying and Risking Arrest in Front of the WH
Catholic Bishops: Don't Revise, Rescind
US Bishops: Obama's 'Compromise' Has No Clear Protection...(Needless Government Intrusion)
Protests Continue Over Insurance for Contraception, Abortifacients (Feds Under Increasing Pressure
Bishops to Obama: No dice
Paul VI: “danger of this power passing into the hands of those public authorities ...”
Michael Moore Goes On Anti-Catholic Twitter Rant, Distorts Contraception Debate
Another Catholic college vows it will ‘not violate conscience’ on Obama mandate
Lutherans join chorus of voices slamming HHS contraceptive mandate
The Obama HHS 'Compromise' Switches the Tiger for the Lion (Not all Catholics buying Obama's bull)
Hannity on now with Priests, Pastors and Rabbis. Please watch

EDITORIAL: Obama’s free abortion pills
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)
Bishops Renew Call To Legislative Action On Religious Liberty
Southern Baptist leader: Obama gave Christians ‘the dismissive back’ of his hand
Obama's Act of Tyranny
Bishops Were Prepared for Battle Over Birth Control Coverage
'Accounting gimmick' -- Obama compromise still threatens religious liberty, leaders say
Bishops ‘concerned’ over reworded mandate; other Catholic leaders slam as ‘insult to injury’
Obama Bows to Pressure, but His Religious 'Accommodation' Even Worse

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

17 posted on 02/12/2012 4:25:40 PM PST by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)
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To: the invisib1e hand
When the Vatican weighs in on the side of the Bishops, the Bishops ARE winning.

Always remember that God is Pro-Life

18 posted on 02/12/2012 4:29:00 PM PST by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)
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To: Servant of the Cross
The secretary then took the absurdity to a new level by claiming that none of this would cost anyone anything, as there was empirical evidence showing that readily available contraception lowered the overall costs to the health-care system by reducing the rate of pregnancy.

Oh really, Sec. Sebelius? Contraception is that effective? Then how would you explain the 'need' for the tens of millions of legal abortions over the past 40 years? They were certainly pregnancies that weren't prevented by readily available contraception. There have also been vast numbers of children born out of wedlock during that same time frame. Since contraception has been readily available all that time, I guess women just weren't bothering to use it, even though many health care plans already picked up the cost. What makes you think they'll magically start using it now?

19 posted on 02/12/2012 7:11:39 PM PST by SuziQ
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