Orthodox Christians Are Thankful for Catholic Bishops' Defense of Religious Liberty
to help build America's cities and towns, its infrastructure and institutions, its enterprise and culture, only to have their posterity stripped of their God given rights."
Similar public statements containing the same calls for civil disobedience and uncompromising stance for Christian moral teaching were also issued by Archbishop Dennis Schnurr of Cincinnati and Bishop David Ricken of Green Bay within days of each other. More Catholic Bishops soon followed with their own individual letters denouncing the oppressive HHS edict.
The tide of Catholic opposition and criticism has grown and intensified since January. To date all 181 Catholic Bishops who head diocese in America (100% of them) have spoken out and denounced Obama's HHS mandate. These bishops not only issued public statements condemning the mandate, but many of them read their statements at diocesan Masses or included them in parish bulletins on Sunday. What an amazing public witness for Christ and righteousness!
Especially encouraging and inspiring is Cardinal Timothy Dolan's fearless and consistent moral leadership in this crisis. He continues to speak clearly and with authority on the HHS mandate: "This is not just about contraception, abortion-causing drugs, and sterilization-although all should recognize the injustices involved in making them part of a universal mandated health care program. It is not about Republicans or Democrats, conservatives or liberals. It is about people of faith. This is first and foremost a matter of religious liberty for all."
His unwavering defense of the Christian faith and the religious liberties of all Americans shines forth in his latest letter, co-signed by Bishop William Lori, addressed to his brother Bishops. "We cannot rest when faced with so grave a threat to the religious liberty for which our parents and grandparents fought. In this moment in history we must work diligently to preserve religious liberty and to remove all threats to the practice of our faith in the public square. . President Obama should rescind the mandate, or at the very least, provide full and effective measures to protect religious liberty and conscience," writes Cardinal Dolan. This is indeed legitimate Christian authority and faithful servant leadership as reflected in the lives of the Apostles and Disciples of Christ and embodied in the Scriptures!
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, Orthodox Christians recognize the importance and significance of the battle before us. We support your steadfast defense of the sanctity of life and the moral teaching of the Christian faith. We continue to pray for all the faithful and courageous Catholic Bishops fighting to protect all our religious liberties. May our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ continue to bless, protect, and guide them in the holy and worthy work they're doing on behalf of all Americans, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
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Chris Banescu is an Orthodox Christian attorney, conservative blogger, and university professor. He regularly blogs at www.orthodoxnet.com/blog and www.chrisbanescu.com.
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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: HHS Mandate, Religious liberty, Edict, Sebelius, Free Exercise of Religion, Orthodox, Orthodox Bishops, Archbishop Jonah, Cardinal Dolan, Chris Banescu
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Please do not condemn the Orthodox for some of the failings of its Russian brothers. There is by no means unanimity of opinion in the Russian Church.
American Orthodox Christians are fully in support of their Roman Catholic cousins.
To Father Andrew,The Orthodox Church in Mother Russia seeks to destroy Liberalism which could be introduced by certain Christian denominations.The Russian church also seeks to protect Russian Culture by stamping out Protestant Churches.The Church is correct in doing so.
God bless the Orthodox. I trust their priests and Bishops direct the laity to vote prolife so that action follows and expresses Faith, just like Catholics need to do also.
Thanks to our Orthodox brethren and all people of "good will" who are joining with our Bishops! Jesus told us not to fear, but to be prepared....Our Bishops are asking for "prayer and fasting" during this, ultimately, "spiritual" battle before us. We must stand firm with our Bishops before the "powers of this world;" we will have to march and must be willing to suffer imprisonment. Thirteen years ago, Pope Benedict wrote of the "gigantic beasts of prey with their power over the media and their technical strength"--We see it--but they will not win the victory.... It will be Jesus, the sacrificed Lamb that conquers! "Happy are those invited to the supper of the Lamb!" But for now, we must "pray constantly" and be always ready to make a defense of the Gospel of Life!
i trained and served in the Eastern Church and one thing that always bothered me is that the Church was grateful for their own religious freedom and would praise those who fought for it when it helped them, but in Russia the Church persecutes and wants to ban, imprison and drive from Mother Russian all other religions, Christian and otherwise! especially though... Christian denominations of all sorts, all of them, Baptists, Catholics Evangelicals, Pentecostals, all of them! how sad! have we learned nothing about Christian love from Jesus whom we claim to know and follow people??? Romans 5:5 tells us that the love of God has been shed into our hearts by the Holy Spirit whom God has given unto us! so let's see the proof of that! ty --Father Andrew St. John, EOA, Andrew@surf1.ws
I love our Orthodox brothers and sisters. Many are oppressed in areas around the world where Christianity is not tolerated. It is an honor to stand beside our Orthodox brethren at the Walks for Life. May God bless all of you.
I am thankful the bishops have spoken up for our constitutional rights and for defending our right to be both Catholic and constitutionally good good citizens.
I wish they had taken this stand years ago. If they had not waited perhaps we would not now have our backs to the wall.
Had they defend the theology of the church against the public figures who professed to be catholic while at the same time bad mouthing the morals of the Catholic Church; there would not be so many fallen away Catholics.
People will follow the strong but they will turn away from the weak leaders.
The strongest Catholic leader from the past, who comes to mind is Archbishop Sheen. He was admired for his unwavering Catholicism.
Obama has destroyed the reverred ,ucore American values.He is a detroyer that came in the guise of a saviour. It's a pity.May God guide the States to a better change..
Like the Catholic, the holy rites of the Orthodox are meaningful, in a commonness to the Original Belief & Apostolic Faith, with many a Saints to their credit. On the overall a Christian Church founded by Christ in the beginnings. The very word 'Orthodox" represent "non compromises" & on this extend the Catholic hand to the brotherhood in Christ, in the mutuality, to the greater coming of HIS kingdom on Earth, in the name of The Father, Son & Holy Spirit, in the intersession of Mother Mary, The Apostles & Saints.