HHS Withholds Grant from Bishops Because Church Opposes Abortion
The contract pointed out that 'preference' would be given to those who offer 'the full-range of legally permissible gynecological and obstetric care,' which is a codeword for artificial contraception, sterilization and abortion,
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has refused to renew a $2.5-million grant to the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops to help human trafficking victims, and the USCCB believes the reason is because, in keeping with Catholic teaching, it will not offer women artificial contraceptives, sterilizations or abortions.
The Secretary of Health and Human Services, Kathleen Sebelius, a professing Catholic, does not recognize the fundamental Right to Life
PrintWASHINGTON,DC (CNSNews.com) - The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has refused to renew a $2.5-million grant to the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops to help human trafficking victims, and the USCCB believes the reason is because, in keeping with Catholic teaching, it will not offer women artificial contraceptives, sterilizations or abortions.
"The USCCB feels that this was unfair and wants to know how this decision was made, so [the bishops] are in the process of requesting that information now," Sr. Mary Ann Walsh, spokeswoman for the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), told CNSNews.com.
Walsh said the HHS did not explain why it turned down the Catholic Church's application, but that in accepting bids to provide services for victims of human trafficking, the HHS funding announcement stated that it would give "preference" to grantees that offer victims a referral to medical providers who do provide abortion and family planning services.
"The contract pointed out that 'preference' would be given to those who offer 'the full-range of legally permissible gynecological and obstetric care,' which is a codeword for artificial contraception, sterilization and abortion," Walsh told CNSNews.com.
Walsh pointed out that the funding announcement did not state that faith-based organizations would be excluded, but rather, she said, "required an explanation of the limits of services provided by an organization with an estimated impact and a plan for mitigating the impact."
Walsh said the USCCB explained in its application that its Migrant and Refugee Services (MRS) section had worked with 163 organizations ranging from the Salvation Army to the YMCA to Lutheran family service to help more than 2,700 victims.
The Catholic Church does refer clients to other groups for many services related to reproductive health, which do not violate Catholic teaching, Walsh said, including screening and treatment for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), gynecological health, obstetrics and pre-natal care.
There are only three specific procedures not provided: abortion, artificial contraception and sterilization.
Walsh said that the MRS pointed out in its application that over the past 5 years it has not seen clients negatively impacted by this policy, and it projected that it would not impact future clients.
Approximately $4.7 million in funding went to three agencies: $1,095,711 to an Atlanta-based group called Tapestri; $1,020,250 to Heartland Human Care Services of Chicago; and $2,589,125 to the U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants in Washington, D.C.
"The Services to Victims of Human Trafficking contract held by USCCB did expire as scheduled on October 10th, 2011. The USCCB continues to be a grantee for a number of ORR programs that support refugees and children," HHS spokesman Jesse Moore said in a statement.
"The case management services formerly provided through the Services to Victims of Human Trafficking contract are no longer being provided by a contractor," read the statement. "Instead, grantees, who were selected through a commonly used competitive grant process, are providing case management services under the National Human Trafficking Victim Assistance Program."
"HHS's primary focus in serving victims of human trafficking is to keep them as healthy and supported as possible," the statement said. "These are individuals who have endured traumatic experiences in many cases and who face uniquely complex challenges. Our focus is always on the needs of victims, and ensuring that they have access to high-quality comprehensive case management services."
Under the Trafficking Victims Protection Act, the federal government distributes money for services needed by thousands of women, children and men who have been brought into the United States for forced labor, especially those forced into prostitution.
Walsh said the USCCB has advocated on behalf of victims of trafficking since the late 1990s, even before the passage of the Trafficking Victims Protection Act in 2000.
This has included working with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the FBI, the Department of Justice and other partners to improve the nation's response to this crime and provide better screening and treatment of victims, she said.
Meanwhile, the American Civil Liberties Union and the ACLU of Massachusetts have gone to federal court in Boston arguing that HHS must be prohibited from imposing "religiously based restrictions on reproductive health services" for victims of sex trafficking.
The ACLU filed suit in 2009 against HHS over its partnership with the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB).
"Human trafficking is the modern-day equivalent of slavery," Sarah Wunsch, staff attorney with the ACLU of Massachusetts said in a recent ...
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I am so happy to hear this money will be withheld, it is the correct thing to do. If the Bishops want to weigh in on government then they must pay their way, i.e. pay taxes on income and property like the rest of us, otherwise they are not entitled to an opinion and should stay out of women's reproductive organs and stay out of attempting to steal women's rights. They have been on the gravy train of the American working people and their own parishioners for years, it is time to pay your own way after all the vatican has more money than we can even dream about and they should learn how to share and support the people who support them.
Again, please read the commentary in the article I posted below. While we are laser focused on Obama, we better make darn sure our own house is in order. Doesn't appear that it is.
We must all pray the Rosary everyday for the conversion of sinners, and the salvation of souls by putting a stop to abortion, divorce and gay marriages. Otherwise, these (enemy within) will cause the downfall of America the Beautiful! Take heed!
If Obama was a mystery to anyone who wondered where he is coming from, this bit of news should be clear to everyone. Obama and his admin minions are as anti-Christian as it gets. The answer is defeating him at the polls in 2012.
I am glad Sister Walsh and the U.S. Bishops are pursuing this! It IS a matter of religious freedom...and the government's bias. Especially this Administration. Particularly, since the Church has been giving time and money to this most important issue before the government even got into it! Give me a break! Give the Church a break! This administration and the Far Left are NOT the majority! If the Church is doing Good, why ignore or fight it? Heaven and the world knows we can use all the Good vs. Evil we can get! Unless, this Administration, with its nonpracticing Catholics, (in my opinion,) is challenged, we will have More unfair, underhanded and uncouth trials and tribulations awaiting. The choice is up to us. "I Jump in the air w/a kick of me heel, sayin', "'Way to go my dear brothers and sister''!
To be quite honest I havent seen any improvement in the world since we started Contraception and Abortion. I find it more evil actually. Were to the point where a child isnt welcome in this world anymore. How does that look to our Lord today???? How many more lashes of the whip should we continue to hurt His heart with the heinous crimes of humanity today. The horrible ethics and science preached through our governments regarding the human family. We need to study this issue more.
See Priests for Life and http://www.popepaulvi.com/
I used be the ultra modern woman in my way of thinking to. I ignored God's plan for me and Ive seen this world in half a centure to know what Ive humbly observed and it aint all that its cracked up to be but I endure by the Grace of God.
Pregnant Constantly
Havent you heard that Natural Family Planning in the Church has gotten better?
Also see Dr. Hiligers work at: http://www.popepaulvi.com/
I agree with almost the lot of you. Catholics must and should be more vocal. Public figures who do not practice their Faith but look the other way Should Be Excommunicated...I Hope our Church is not putting their head in the sand as it did with P. Priests! Our Bishops Must do their jobs as well. We are the Body of Christ. It takes all members to succeed. These are indeed tough times to stand up, but Christ did. And as we are followers of Christ, we can do it, Together. To those that practice their Faith and look the other way, I am sorry for them. For they evidently do not believe Christ's own words, to the effect that, "He Will Look the Other Way. That He Did Not Know Them."
Barb,
Obama put Catholics who openly oppose church teachings and authority into highly visible positions on purpose.First to sway Catholic voters,secondly to use them and their own ignorance of their faith to confuse Catholics.Catholic politician is almost like an oxymoron..or more like they are simply morons.Your right when you say you cannot serve two masters.Gov.Andrew Cuomo makes sure that he and his live in girlfriend sit in the front pew and recieve while living in sin,promote and made legal "gay" marriage and support abortion.Whose fault is this?The bishop who is more afraid of offending the govenor than God.Both have placed their souls in jeapardy.However,we need to leave the judging to God and to those in authority in the church.All we can do is cry out to God in prayer and also to pray for the conversion of our brothers and sisters.We need to place this in Gods hands and trust.Remember..it has already been foretold that the Church being the bride of Christ on earth will suffer...to the point of death.The persecution in the West has just begun..it will only get worse.Catholics like Cuomo who while speaking at a gay event said that those who oppose gay marriage are enemies of the state and country are simply piling burning coals upon their own heads.They do not fear God or His coming wrath.They need our prayers.The lines in the spiritual battle are now clearly drawn and we must choose where we stand without any gray areas.We must be ready to face the hatred and backlash.We must be prepared to follow Christ to the Cross.As Pope John Paul 2 said.."be not afraid"..rather it is those who set themselves up against God that need to be afraid.But Jesus says love your enemies and pray for them...what greater glory to God is there than one lost soul returns home.Let's try not to let emotions rule us..let's simply pray and make sacrifices for our lost and separated brethren.God Bless You.
We catholics could just allow HHS to decide what they want with the government money. Problem is that money (funds) is also our tax payer money so we have a right to speak up and not allow HHS to give that money to ONLY abortion providers!! HHS is hood-winking us!!