LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - The bulletin will be inserted into parish bulletins and newsletters in June. The announcement comes as the bishops bring together 43 plaintiffs in 12 lawsuits against the Obama administration. The suits allege that the mandate violates the religious freedom of all Catholics by forcing individuals and institutions to pay into a health care system that provides contraceptives and abortifacients free of charge to all who want them. 

The use of contraceptives and abortifacients is considered to be a gravely immoral act according to Natural Law and the teachings of the Catholic Church. To be compelled to pay into a system that provides such services effectively makes Catholics participants in evil.

Catholics would be forced to pay into the system which would use tax dollars and monies collected from premiums to pay for sterilizations, contraceptives, abortifacients, and even abortions.  These payments would be mandated under the individual mandate, the part of the plan that requires all Americans to purchase health insurance or to pay a penalty. 

The bishops realize what is at stake and acknowledge that in their statement. "When fundamental human goods, such as the right of conscience, are at stake,  we may need to witness to the truth by resisting the law and incurring its penalties."

The bishops are also calling for an extended period of prayer and action to begin on June 21 and culminate on July 4. The dates of the vigil are not accidental. June 21 is the feast day of St. John Fisher, A catholic Cardinal who was beheaded by Henry VIII for his refusal to take an oath that Henry was the new head of the church in England. And July 4th is independence day when Americans gather to celebrate the birth of America and the freedoms given by God and codified in the Bill of Rights.

The President continues to insist in speeches that it is important to provide these services at no cost to women across the country. However there should be no illusion that these "services" constitute health care. The entire purpose of these services is to inhibit and take human life, which is the antithesis of health. Meanwhile, millions of Americans struggle to cope with rising health care costs and many cannot afford basic life saving medications - which are by no means provided free in accord with any government mandate. 

Meanwhile, the Obama administration has made much of its "exemption" that would spare the Catholic church and other "religious organizations" from being compelled to pay into the system that finances activity which the Church finds objectionable. However, other religious institutions such as Catholic schools, universities, hospitals and charities are not covered under the religious exemption. 

Therefore, the stage is set for a showdown in the courts. The bishops say (on behalf of all) "What we ask is nothing more than the right to follow our consciences as we live out our teaching."
Of course the struggle for that right may be much tougher and more arduous than presently considered. Fortunately, the bishops are of brave stock and have God and justice on their side.

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