Catholic Online iReport - Allentown, PA rallies for Religious Freedom

By Carolee Gifford (NEWS CONSORTIUM)
3/26/2012
Catholic Online (www.catholic.org)

People of faith strike back at mandate.

"It's terrible! It has to be rescinded!" said Sister Josanne Huber, M.S.C., commenting on the healthcare mandate thousands and thousands protested at noon, Friday, at federal buildings all over the United States.

The HHS edict could force sisters at Catholic hospitals to participate in deeds which violate their conscience, under threat of law.

Facebook Delicous MySpace

Twitter Stumble Digg

More Destinations

Fountain Hill, PA (Catholic Online) - One of those protests took place at the Federal Courthouse in Allentown, Pennsylvania. The sidewalk in front of the courthouse was chock full of people. Protesters brought a peaceful enthusiasm to their cause.

Many different faiths joined together to sing, pray and chant, a unified, "No." to what is seen as a government intrusion on conscience.

Sister Josanne represented Sacred Heart Hospital in Allentown. Sacred Heart would be one of many institutions affected by the mandate. She is a chaplain at the 233-bed Catholic medical center started 100 years ago by her community, the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart.

"We cannot, we will not comply with this mandate," said The Rev. Scott Ardinger, M.A., S.T.L., pastor of The Incarnation of our Lord Church, Bethlehem, Pa. Father Ardinger was echoing his bishop, The most Rev. John O. Barres, in his letter to the faithful.

"I love being an American," said Father Ardinger. "People of faith cannot be made second-class citizens!"

I am so proud of our bishops," Father Ardinger continued, extolling the unified decry against the health care mandate. "These are our shepherds!"

The crowd roared in support of Father Ardinger's sentiments.

"Such a contentious and insensitive ruling by this administration reflects a grievous disregard for our individual rights so clearly defined in our Constitution and a display of arrogance that should
sound an alarm to all Americans, regardless of party, to denounce such action," said Tom McFadden, a member of the Lehigh Valley Tea Party executive board.Karin Walleasa, a pro-life advocate, spearheaded the rally in Allentown.

Catholics at the rally were joined by people of many faiths.

"I'm a Protestant," Carol Allen of Macungie, PA, proudly exclaimed. "I am concerned about my country," Allen said when asked why she had joined the protest.

"We have a very pro-life parish," said The Rev. Vince Gioieni, pastoral intern at Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Bethlehem. Rev. Gioieni offered the opening and closing prayer at the rally.

� 2012, Catholic Online. Distributed by NEWS CONSORTIUM

- - -

Pope Benedict XVI's Prayer Intentions for January 2013
General Intention: The Faith of Christians. That in this Year of Faith Christians may deepen their knowledge of the mystery of Christ and witness joyfully to the gift of faith in him.
Missionary Intention: Middle Eastern Christians. That the Christian communities of the Middle East, often discriminated against, may receive from the Holy Spirit the strength of fidelity and perseverance.

Keywords: Rally for Religious Freedom

NEWSLETTERS »

Rate This Article

Was this helpful to you? Very Helpful Somewhat Helpful Not Helpful at All

Would you be interested in more articles like this? Yes, I am Interested No, I am not Interested

Rate Article

0 Comments

Comments submitted must be civil, remain on-topic and not violate any laws including copyright. We reserve the right to delete any comments which are abusive, inappropriate or not constructive to the discussion.

Though we invite robust discussion, we reserve the right to not publish any comment which denigrates the human person, undermines marriage and the family, or advocates for positions which openly oppose the teaching of the Catholic Church.

This is a supervised forum and the Editors of Catholic Online retain the right to direct it.

We also reserve the right to block any commenter for repeated violations. Your email address is required to post, but it will not be published on the site.

We ask that you NOT post your comment more than once. Catholic Online is growing and our ability to review all comments sometimes results in a delay in their publication.

Name *

Email *

Comment *

Send me important information from Catholic Online and it's partners. See Sample

Post Comment