Mandated Contraception, Sterilization: Caesar Demands Church Violate Conscience

By Deacon Keith Fournier
1/24/2012
Catholic Online (www.catholic.org)

To translate this Edict, the American Caesar has spoken and given the Catholic Church 13 months to comply with its unjust regulation or face punitive consequences.

"The Obama administration has drawn an unprecedented line in the sand. In effect, the president is saying we have a year to figure out how to violate our consciences.To force American citizens to choose between violating their consciences and forgoing their healthcare is literally unconscionable.In effect, the president is saying we have a year to figure out how to violate our consciences.To force American citizens to choose between violating their consciences and forgoing their healthcare is literally unconscionable." (Cardinal Designate Dolan, Abp of New York, President, USCCB)

A rendition of the Christian martyrs who faced an earlier 'Caesar'

Facebook Delicous MySpace

Twitter Stumble Digg

More Destinations

WASHINGTON,DC (Catholic Online) - The moment that President Obama nominated Governor Kathleen Sebelius to be the Secretary of Health and Human Services he sent the signal of where he would lead this nation. Sadly, many people did not see the signs, including some Catholics.

Of course, anyone who heard former Presidential candidate Obama utter his "that's above my pay grade" answer to Reverend Rick Warren's question as to "when a baby gets human rights" - either had their head in the sand - or was no friend of children in the womb themselves.

This President does not respect the fundamental Human Right to Life, period. Sorry Doug Kmiec and all the others who were snowed by his sophistry, the truth is now very clear and I sincerely hope you join in the necessary resistance to this unjust administration.

The Secretary's own Archbishop, in May of 2008, asked then Governor Sebelius to refrain from receiving Holy Communion because of her "30-year history of advocating and acting in support of legalized abortion". He noted that she was engaging in what the Catholic Catechism defines as "scandal", when "one's action leads someone else to sin. Scandal is an attitude or behavior which leads another to do evil." (CCC#2284)

President Obama has selected Catholics to serve in his administration who openly defy their own Church. Now, as if that wasn't bad enough, all of the subterfuge and sophistry which has surrounded his promise to honor religious liberty and respect freedom of conscience in the implementation of his "Affordable care Act" has been unmasked.

Here is the full statement from the Secretary of Health and Human Services which was released Friday, January 20, 2012.

*****
A Statement by U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius: January 20, 2012

"In August 2011, the Department of Health and Human Services issued an interim final rule that will require most health insurance plans to cover preventive services for women including recommended contraceptive services without charging a co-pay, co-insurance or a deductible. The rule allows certain non-profit religious employers that offer insurance to their employees the choice of whether or not to cover contraceptive services."

"Today the department is announcing that the final rule on preventive health services will ensure that women with health insurance coverage will have access to the full range of the Institute of Medicine's recommended preventive services, including all FDA -approved forms of contraception. Women will not have to forego these services because of expensive co-pays or deductibles, or because an insurance plan doesn't include contraceptive services".

"This rule is consistent with the laws in a majority of states which already require contraception coverage in health plans, and includes the exemption in the interim final rule allowing certain religious organizations not to provide contraception coverage. Beginning August 1, 2012, most new and renewed health plans will be required to cover these services without cost sharing for women across the country."

"After evaluating comments, we have decided to add an additional element to the final rule. Nonprofit employers who, based on religious beliefs, do not currently provide contraceptive coverage in their insurance plan, will be provided an additional year, until August 1, 2013, to comply with the new law."

"Employers wishing to take advantage of the additional year must certify that they qualify for the delayed implementation. This additional year will allow these organizations more time and flexibility to adapt to this new rule. We intend to require employers that do not offer coverage of contraceptive services to provide notice to employees, which will also state that contraceptive services are available at sites such as community health centers, public clinics, and hospitals with income-based support. We will continue to work closely with religious groups during this transitional period to discuss their concerns".

"Scientists have abundant evidence that birth control has significant health benefits for women and their families, it is documented to significantly reduce health costs, and is the most commonly taken drug in America by young and middle-aged women. This rule will provide women with greater access to contraception by requiring coverage and by prohibiting cost sharing."

"This decision was made after very careful consideration, including the important concerns some have raised about religious liberty. I believe this proposal strikes the appropriate balance between respecting religious freedom and increasing access to important preventive services. The administration remains fully committed to its partnerships with faith-based organizations, which promote healthy communities and serve ...

1 | 2 Next Page

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

1 - 10 of 59 Comments

carolyn
1 year ago
listen to his interview at the beginning of the article .Obama says it is above his pay grade to determine when a baby gets human rights. Well do their rights even come after birth then. Because a baby born would not even have rights and could be killed just like one that is developing in the womb. If he can not answer the question, he should look to the church. If he doesn't want to look to the church he should look at science. Science and religion do not contradict each other on this. God gave us all a rational brain to think with. He must not know how to use his. He is not even humble enough to consult the experts. The church would say at conception and so would science. Because the embryo is human, not a dog, not a cat, not a bird. Nothing else but a human. The baby is human before it is born . It is human after it is born. The answer to the question is an obvious one. You would think someone had a gun to his head so that he would say what they wanted him to say. He can't answer because he doesn't even know. He has no morals.
Vance
1 year ago
JeanCatherine, your post is spot on. We are a society that is undergoing 24/7 brainwashing by the Liberal Establishment Media and education system. Our Bishops are starting to come awake but they need to get their boots on and start marching into action because Cruise Ship America is rolling over on its side the the Costa Concordia. Obama and his merry band of Marxists want the ship sunk.
Suzanne
1 year ago
Too many people use their churches like a social club for baptisms, weddings, and funerals. They hypocritically send their kids to parish schools but they themselves have no interest in following the teachings of the church. They use birth control and sterilization and vote for people who make laws that do not protect and respect human life. In another time they would be excommunicated simply because they refuse to live according to the teachings of their church. They are responsible for their conduct, of course, but the church must bear responsibility as well. Bishops should ask themselves if they do more harm by allowing apostasy than by evicting these people who call themselves Catholics but live like pagans. People like Nancy Pelosi, Kathleen Sebelius, John Kerry, and other high-profile Catholics-in-name-only should be told in no uncertain terms that the teachings of the church are not optional. No one is forcing them to stay if they don't believe what the church teaches. And each of us must prayerfully consider our choices before entering the voting booth.
JeanCatherine
1 year ago
I was sitting at the table at lunch and Im afraid to say I never spoke up when I heard other women encouraging sterilization and to have there two children. They, the women were praising sterilization its the common norm in society today. Everyone is ecouraging it because they dont want to be a welfare statistic believe it or not because this to was brought about the fact you have more kids you get more welfare.

Women are scared and they dont want to follow the Catholic teachings because we dont educate ourselves to Natural Family Planning. They also are brainwashed by Margaret Sanger's teachings Im afraid to say and the Government is encouraging this by using Kathleen Sebelius. She knows what women are saying out there on the job during lunch and in the homes and when women have the time to talk. Its contraception, contraception and sterlization. They figure that Natural Family Planning I think belongs to a male oriented society to control them or something. This of course we know is ridiculous because Natural Family Planning is in alignment with the Natural Order of Life.

The world of Contraception is in the realm of evil and today we see evil as the "new" right. Abortion/contraception is as Ancient as Satan.
Rob
1 year ago
The vatican II documents make it clear that the laity has a role to play in what pope john paul called the new evangelization. I will agree that many priest do not hit this topic and many others as hard as they should, but I would ask all of you, particularly those of you who think they should do more, what efforts are you personally involved with in your parish to instruct the faithful? Are you offering classes, talks etc to teach this? Are you stepping up to teach the theology of the body? What efforts are you taking directly to bring people to Christ? I know it's easy to point our fingers at our priest and say they should do more, but in the spirit of vatican II, the question needs to be made to us. If we believe our parish is not getting the information, what am I doing about it?
vance
1 year ago
Stephany, great post, This is my sentiments exactly. God Bless.
Sidmac
1 year ago
Esther Marie Ventura FerenczJanuary 23rd, 2012 10:34 pm -

I think you misunderstood what Matthew was saying. The first part of his message was a challenge to the government to prove their statements:

"Scientists have abundant evidence that birth control has significant health benefits for women and their families" What scientists? What evidence? Define "abundant." Specify: "birth control" is too broad. Define "significant." Enumerate and list "health benefits." Explain how a medicine taken by a woman can benefit her family. "and is the most commonly taken drug in America by young and middle-aged women." Isn't that the old, "but all my friends were doing it, too" excuse?

This is a challenge to prove their statements. The latter part of his message is being sarcastic:

"About the only thing I can agree with is that it reduces healthcare costs. I'm sure it does-- children are expensive. They need immunizations and checkups, they get diseases that need treatment, they develop cavities that need filled. They need healthcare because we care about their health. Pushing contraception as a way to save money is like suggesting a church sell it's pews to buy stained glass. The windows may be beautiful, but there's no place to sit; there's all this money, and no one to spend it on."

From what I can tell, Matthew in no way supports the actions of the government.
This is a highly moral and emotional issue, and I am also upset about this. My own family has become more and more secular and it is disturbing to me. I am hopefully that the USCCB have now come off their clouds and realize that something needs to be done now.
Stephany
1 year ago
The "mass protests" urged by some should begin in our parishes. Our pastors are dancing around the fringes and too rarely bring this truth (the travesty that is abortion) to the laity. It's usually wimpy platitudes, fearful perhaps of "offending" anyone, (probably those who belong or support a particular political party). Laity is not being toldabout how this offends God, how it damages women, the destruction to families and worst of all, the deadening of the spiritual life of countless souls.
Our brothers and sisters in the Family of God are spiritually undernourished, and we get nice homilies, but not the truthful teaching of Gods laws with clarity and conviction. Those few priest that are strong enough to teach clearly, are often criticized.
When are our Bishops going to insist that the Catholic faith be taught?????
As a pro lifer, it is sad that the truth is "held back" by the very shepherds that should be
encouraging it. Too many pro life groups are stifled by the pastors.
As a cradle Catholic, my life experience verifies that it is my faith that sustains me. Faith is a gift meant to be shared, not hidden away, in the fear that the truth contained in our faith is somehow not "politically correct". Political correctness be damned! Speak truth and save souls.
carolyn
1 year ago
Yesterday was the day of prayer for legal Protection of unborn children. it is not to late to pray. God transcends all time.
Carole Quine
1 year ago
Has anyone proposed a mail-in or phone-in campaign to the White House concerning this issue? To be honest, I am more concerned about the spirit of the decision to force the Church to extend birth control coverage to employees at Church-run institutions than I am in the fact that it violates our doctrine about birth control. Why? Well because this is a "tip of the iceberg" moment. What's next on the government's agenda concerning the Church? What other doctrines will it attempt to regulate? This is beyond a worry--this is something that should concern every Catholic--and concern them GREATLY.

Prev12 3 4 5 6 Next

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