FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MEDIA ADVISORY
Catholic PRWire

WATERTOWN, MA (February 14, 2012) President of the CatholicTV® Network Speaks Out
Against the Obama Administration to Change United States Department of Health and Human Services Imposed Mandate

On Tuesday, February 14, 2012, President of the CatholicTV Network, Father Robert Reed, spoke in support of the 400 Catholic leaders that have called on Congress and the Obama Administration to protect conscience rights in health care during a live broadcast of CatholicTV’s nationally aired talk show, This is the Day.

The United states Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has issued a rule forcing nearly all private health plans to include coverage for all FDA-approved prescription contraceptive drugs and devices, as well as surgical sterilization. These are listed among "preventive services for women" that all health plans will have to cover without co-pays or other cost-sharing -- regardless of whether the insurer, the employer or other plan sponsor, or even the woman herself objects to such coverage.

Father Reed spoke against the imposed mandate saying, "It's imperative that Catholics and non-Catholics alike carefully consider the ramifications of the HHS mandate. The USCCB, in particular Cardinal Sean O'Malley, Cardinal Donald Wuerl, and Cardinal-designate Timothy Dolan have, in their statements, clearly outlined the Church's objections to the HHS mandate and the negative effect it would have on society as a whole. The CatholicTV Network is committed to standing firm with the USCCB in protecting religious liberty and promoting a culture of life. We will be a clear voice for those unable to be heard."

Father Reed’s commentary can be seen here: http://youtu.be/vuZUNZMEPwQ

General Manager of the CatholicTV Network, Jay Fadden, spoke out against the imposed mandate as well.

“I believe that not just Catholics, but all citizens’ need to oppose the HHS mandate, recognizing the dangerous precedent it would set. The First Amendment (Amendment I) to the United States Constitution, part of the Bill of Rights, prohibits the making of any law respecting an establishment of religion. As a result, the mandate would impose a law that contradicts the conscience of many faithful individuals.”

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops offers the following clarifications regarding the Health and Human Services regulations on mandatory coverage of contraceptives, sterilization and abortion-inducing drugs:

The mandate does not exempt Catholic charities, schools, universities, or hospitals.
These institutions are vital to the mission of the Church, but HHS does not deem them "religious employers" worthy of conscience protection, because they do not "serve primarily persons who share the religious tenets." HHS denies these organizations religious freedom precisely because their purpose is to serve the common good of society—a purpose that government should encourage, not punish.

Under the mandate, the government forces religious insurers to write policies that violate their beliefs; forces religious employers and schools to sponsor and subsidize coverage that violates their beliefs; and forces religious employees and students to purchase coverage that violates their beliefs.

The Administration has refused to recognize the Constitutional conscience rights of organizations and individuals who oppose the mandate, the bishops are now urging Catholics and others of good will to fight this unprecedented attack on conscience rights and religious liberty.

Cardinal-designate Timothy Dolan, president of the USCCB, sharply criticized the decision by the Obama administration in which it "ordered almost every employer and insurer in the country to provide sterilization and contraceptives, including some abortion-inducing drugs, in their health plans....Never before has the federal government forced individuals and organizations to go out into the marketplace and buy a product that violates their conscience. This shouldn't happen in a land where free exercise of religion ranks first in the Bill of Rights."

Watch Father Reed’s commentary at www.CatholicTV.com and find out more information about the imposed HHS mandate at www.usccb.org.

About the CatholicTV® Network:

Founded in 1955, CatholicTV Network is a national broadcast television network streaming a live feed 24 hours a day at CatholicTV.com. Heeding Pope Benedict XVI's call to greater utilize the power of television and new media, the CatholicTV Network features its cable TV station, Catholic web site, mobile apps and widget. Celebrate Mass online; pray The Rosary; enjoy programs on prayer, the saints, the Scriptures and the Catholic Church on America's Catholic Television Network.

Contact: CatholicTV
www.CatholicTV.com MA, 02472 US
Shannon Muldoon- Public Relations Coordinator
617-923-0220

Contact

The CatholicTV® Network
http://www.catholictv.org/HHS  MA, 02471 US
Shannon Muldoon - Public Relations Coordinator, 

Keywords

HHS, Archdiocese of Boston, Obama Administration, USCCB

Category

Apparitions