United for Religious Freedom: US Bishops Unified Statement

3/19/2012

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must be rejected, for they create a "second class" of citizenship within our religious community. And if this definition is allowed to stand, it will spread throughout federal law, weakening its healthy tradition of generous respect for religious freedom and diversity. All-not just some-of our religious institutions share equally in the very same God-given, legally-recognized right not "to be forced to act in a manner contrary to [their] own beliefs." Dignitatis Humanae, No. 2.

A mandate to act against our teachings. The exemption is not merely a government foray into internal Church governance, where government has no legal competence or authority-disturbing though that may be. This error in theory has grave consequences in principle and practice. Those deemed by HHS not to be "religious employers" will be forced by government to violate their own teachings within their very own institutions.

This is not only an injustice in itself, but it also undermines the effective proclamation of those teachings to the faithful and to the world. For decades, the Bishops have led the fight against such government incursions on conscience, particularly in the area of health care. Far from making us waver in this longstanding commitment, the unprecedented magnitude of this latest threat has only strengthened our resolve to maintain that consistent view.

A violation of personal civil rights. The HHS mandate creates still a third class, those with no conscience protection at all: individuals who, in their daily lives, strive constantly to act in accordance with their faith and moral values. They, too, face a government mandate to aid in providing "services" contrary to those values-whether in their sponsoring of, and payment for, insurance as employers; their payment of insurance premiums as employees; or as insurers themselves-without even the semblance of an exemption.

This, too, is unprecedented in federal law, which has long been generous in protecting the rights of individuals not to act against their religious beliefs or moral convictions. We have consistently supported these rights, particularly in the area of protecting the dignity of all human life, and we continue to do so.

Third, we want to indicate our next steps. We will continue our vigorous efforts at education and public advocacy on the principles of religious liberty and their application in this case (and others). We will continue to accept any invitation to dialogue with the Executive Branch to protect the religious freedom that is rightly ours.

We will continue to pursue legislation to restore the same level of religious freedom we have enjoyed until just recently. And we will continue to explore our options for relief from the courts, under the U.S. Constitution and other federal laws that protect religious freedom. All of these efforts will proceed concurrently, and in a manner that is mutually reinforcing.

Most importantly of all, we call upon the Catholic faithful, and all people of faith, throughout our country to join us in prayer and penance for our leaders and for the complete protection of our First Freedom-religious liberty-which is not only protected in the laws and customs of our great nation, but rooted in the teachings of our great Tradition. Prayer is the ultimate source of our strength-for without God, we can do nothing; but with God, all things are possible.

- - -

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: US Bishops, HHS Mandate, Affordable care Act, Religious Liberty, Religious freedom

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1 - 10 of 17 Comments

JoAnn
1 year ago
techwreck: Instead of responding to your last post (which would take too long) I am going to refer you to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, Part Three: Life in Christ - Chapter Two: The Human Community, Article 2: Participation in Social Life (especially, II The Common Good) but if you have time, you can read all three sections in Article 2. God bless.
techwreck
1 year ago
Jo Ann and Vance, you are confirming my positions on the bishops and government health care. Our bishops did not say they had no objection to government health care, Vance, they openly supported it for years. Only when the government did not do health care the way they wanted did they object. By the time they objected, the laity were thoroughly confused because the bishops were wrong on two counts. One, they forgot that if you lie down with dogs you get up with fleas. And two, they forgot that Jesus called on his Church to be His light to the world, and never intended that the care of the poor would be subcontracted to Caesar. Christ called on His bishops to teach as Jesus did, not to play politics with Caesar until His flock, the laity, did not know what to believe. But, that's what the USCCB did, and the record is clear.
Ann
1 year ago
As a Catholic and a firm believer in Christ our Lord I will not pay for HEALTHCARE---I WILL GO TO JAIL ---THIS HAS GONE FAR TO FAR --- I WILL NOT PAY FOR OTHERS TO HAVE SEX AND THEN MURDER THEIR CHILD OR PAY FOR ANYONE TO HAVE PILLS --- OR TO BE PART OF A HEALTHCARE PROGRAM THAT HAS A WHOLE LIFE PRACTICE IN IT --- THE TEACHING OF JESUS CHRIST PROHIBITS A TRUE CHRISTIAN FROM THIS PAGAN PRACTICE AND I FOR ONE CATHOLIC WILL NOT GO AGAINST G-D FOR ANY MAN!!! IF JAIL AWAITS ME---THEN SO BE IT --- I WILL NOT COMPLY --- EVEN TO MY LAST BREATH --- I WILL NOT COMPLY --- THEY FORCE US TO GIVE TO PLANNED PARENTHOOD MURDERS AND OTHER EVIL CAUSES THROUGH OUR TAXES WHICH THEY STEAL TO AIDE MURDERERS --- G-D PLEASE FORGIVE US FOR NOT BEING MORE FORCEFUL BUT THE LINE IS DRAWN AND I WILL NOT COMPLY --- TO THE BISHOPS GIVE UP THE GOVERNMENT MONEY NOW---G-D WILL JUDGE US FOR WHAT WE DO GIVE UP THE MONEY NOW---STAND ON THE FAITH OF G-D TO PROVIDE --- IF YOU BELIEVE IN THE G-D YOU PREACH ABOUT THAN STAND FOR HIM!!!
JoAnn
1 year ago
techwreck: I will concede that the USCCB, as well as the WHOLE COUNTRY, was excited that some type of health insurance for all of America's citizens may be possible. BUT and that's a BIG but, as information was released, as to what was in Obamacare, before it was even voted on, the USCCB was absolutely against it. It was, at that time, that the "rogues" that I referred to went their own way, went against the hierarchy and were confusing Catholics and pushing Obamacare Like Sr. Keehan and the likes. I don't know what the priests in your parish did about it, but the priests in my parish warned us about Obamacare. They were very adamant about not supporting it. Sooo, when you started blaming the priests and bishops for not alerting the Faithful, I wanted to clarify that it was NOT the hierarchy but a "few" liberal religious going against the Church. God bless.
vance
1 year ago
techwreck, you are mistaken on the USCCB's support of Obamacare. The Bishops including Bishop Dolan wrote a letter to Obama about their concern for subsidiarity and abortion mandates. This is why Rep Stupack created his dog and pony show objection. Catholic Online posted the letter from the Bishops. Other Catholic websites posted the letter as well. The Bishops did say they had no objections to Government Health Care services as long as it does not include abortion and sterilizations.
techwreck
1 year ago
Jo Ann, I have to differ with you. When Obamacare was being debated in the Congress, the Catholic bishops through the USCCB clearly urged support for "universal health care" and that word was spread to the faithful through all of the bishops "Catholic conferences". "Catholic conferences" are diocesan entities that urge the faithful to support legislation favored by the Church. I would be interested in any evidence you have to the contrary.
Robert
1 year ago
Please check the following website for information about rallies taking place this Friday in over 100 cities in the U.S.

Standupforreligiousfreedom.com

For Houstonians: Join me at Tranquility Park across from the federal bldg Friday March 23 from noon-1pm. The time to stand up is Now! What will you tell your children about how the President stripped away away your freedoms? "What did you do daddy/mommy?"
JoAnn
1 year ago
Alex & techwreck: The Bishops do NOT support and have NEVER supported Obamacare, so they have nothing to apologize for. Those bishops, priests, nuns, whatever that supported it, did so on their own. Those are the religious that need to be reported to their diocese. If that does not work, report it to the Vatican or report it to Bill Donohue who is the President of the Catholic League. He has constant communication with the Vatican. We need to be more active in our parishes to flush out these "ROGUES." If we hear something that does not hold true to our Catholic Faith (which can be verified in the Catechism of the Catholic Church) REPORT IT! It was never supported from the hierarchy. If anyone owes anyone an apology, it is you who need to apologize to this board for reporting something that is simply not true. God bless.
Joe
1 year ago
Just wanted to say Thanks and prayers to Cardinal Dolan and all the bishops who support our faith.
Alex
1 year ago
Why, why, why in the world, do the bishops continue to support a nationalized, government run health care philosophy, when they CLEARLY see the fruits of its labor? THIS is what a secular, national health plan WILL inevitably lead to! You cannot chant "go government healthcare, go" and then recant your chant when THIS happens! Why, why, why don't the bishops realize that the precedence is set, and any secular power dictating health care to its citizens is free to treat the religious as it deems fit? If you want to to oppose this garbage, USCCB, then you must oppose the core philosophy of government run ANYTHING, ESPECIALLY health care!

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