"I cannot imagine a more direct and frontal attack on freedom of conscience... This [White House] decision must be fought against with all the energies the Catholic community can muster."For background, read The Pope, and Obama's War on Christianity and also read Bishops Say Obama Destroying Societal Norm as well as Santorum - (Catholic) Christian Tea Party Candidate
-- Cardinal Roger Mahony (the very liberal archbishop emeritus of Los Angeles)
UPDATE 3/20/12: ObamaCare requires free sterilization for all college girls, but top Democrat in Congress knows nothing about it
UPDATE 2/28/12: Obama Justice Dept. Says 1st Amendment Allows Gov't to Force Catholics to Buy Sterilization-Contraception-Abortion Insurance
UPDATE 2/9/12: ABC News finds Obama in bed with Planned Parenthood and other feminists
UPDATE 3/19/12: Federal CDC study shows 38.2 percent of American women age 15-44 NOT currently using contraception, thus refuting Obama
First, here's Secretary of Health and Human Services, Kathleen Sebelius' explanation for President Obama's decision to deny Catholics' right of conscience:
-- From "Contraception rule respects religion" by Kathleen Sebelius, posted at USA TODAY 2/6/12
Today, virtually all American women use contraception at some point in their lives. And we have a large body of medical evidence showing it has significant benefits for their health, as well as the health of their children. But birth control can also be quite expensive, costing an average of $600 a year, which puts it out of reach for many women whose health plans don't cover it.
The public health case for making sure insurance covers contraception is clear. But we also recognize that many religious organizations have deeply held beliefs opposing the use of birth control.
That's why in the rule we put forward, we specifically carved out from the policy religious organizations that primarily employ people of their own faith. This exemption includes churches and other houses of worship, and could also include other church-affiliated organizations.
To read the entire opinion column above, CLICK HERE.
From "Obamacare vs. the Catholics" by Jonathan V. Last, Senior Writer at The Weekly Standard (posted at NPR) 2/7/12
. . . It is now a requirement of Obamacare that every Catholic institution larger than a single church — and even including some single churches — must pay for contraceptives, sterilization, and morning-after abortifacients for its employees. Each of these is directly contrary to the Catholic faith. But the Obama administration does not care. They have said, in effect, Do what we tell you — or else.
. . . Sebelius included one small conscience exemption: A religious employer who objects to medical treatment aimed at prevention of the disease commonly known as "pregnancy" may leave it out of their health insurance coverage provided the employer satisfies three criteria: (1) It has religious inculcation as its primary duty; (2) It primarily employs people of the same faith; and (3) It primarily serves people of the same faith. This fig leaf is enough to cover most small churches — so long as your parish employs only a couple of priests and a secretary, it would probably get a pass. Larger institutions would not.
In the Catholic world, for instance, a diocesan office often employs lots of people — lawyers, janitors, administrative staff — who are not necessarily Catholic. And the duties of such offices extend far beyond inculcation of the faith — to include charity, community service, and education. Or take Catholic universities. There are more than 200 of them, serving some 750,000 students. They clearly do not fit the exemption. Neither would any of the 6,980 Catholic elementary or secondary schools. Nor the country's 600 Catholic hospitals; nor its 1,400 Catholic long-term care centers. Ditto the network of Catholic social services organizations that spend billions of dollars a year to serve the needy and disadvantaged.
It's unclear whether Obama anticipated the blowback which resulted from this announcement, or perhaps even welcomed the fight.
To read the entire opinion column above, CLICK HERE.
For background, read Obama Weakens Christians' 'Conscience Clause' and also read Supremes Teach Obama Religious Liberty; Church Wins
From "Santorum: 'Mr. President, We're Not That Stupid'" by Susan Jones, CNSNews.com 2/7/12
"Ha, that's just a bunch of poppycock,” Santorum said. “That’s just ridiculous. Look, Mr. President, we’re not that stupid. The Catholic Church has been arguing and negotiating this for a year, and the administration is saying, ‘Oh, it’s just a misunderstanding.’ It’s just a bunch of bull," Santorum said.
"They are folks who are trying to use their power to force people to do things that they believe they should do and that are right. And they don’t care about their religion. Look at the conscience clause protections, which are outrageous and discriminatory against people of faith. And guess what, they do provide some protections for some religious groups, just not Catholics."
As CNSNews.com has reported, Catholic Church leaders in recent weeks have read letters to their congregations, telling them the Obamacare contraception regulation violates the constitutional rights of Catholics and that the church will not comply with "this unjust law."
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "Chaput censures contraceptive plan" by Linda Loyd, Philadelphia Inquirer Staff Writer 2/6/12
Philadelphia Archbishop Charles J. Chaput is demanding that the Obama administration rescind what he calls its "flawed and dangerous" decision requiring virtually all employers to offer employees health coverage that includes contraceptives and "abortion-inducing drugs."
In a letter asked to be read at all weekend Masses in 266 area parishes, Chaput joined many other bishops nationally in criticizing the administration for undermining "both the principle of religious conscience and the First Amendment to the Constitution in an unprecedented way."
Unless the ruling is overturned, "faithful Catholics will be forced either to violate our consciences, or to drop health coverage for our employees," the archbishop said.
The rule was characterized by observant Catholics who came to the Basilica on Sunday night as a "persecution" of their faith and an attack on religious freedom. "I feel like it's an infringement on my view as a Catholic," said Ann Post of Oreland and a member of St. Genevieve's parish.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
Also read Obama's War on Christianity: Sen. Marco Rubio Fires Back
UPDATE 3/6/12 - Catholics called to vote in November (video):
