Coalition of US nuns breaks with bishops, supports Senate health-care bill
March 17, 2010
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A coalition of American nuns, claiming to represent over 50,000 members of women's religious orders, has broken with the country's Catholic bishops by coming out in support of the health-care reform legislation now pending in Congress.
In a statement released by the liberal religious lobby Network, the nuns say that the bill already approved by the Senate is "the real pro-life stance." Their statement accuses the US bishops' conference and pro-life groups of making "false claims" that the bill would allow support for abortion and would not protect the consciences of health-care workers who oppose abortion.
"This is politics; this isn't a question of faith and morals," said Sister Simone Campbell, the executive director of Network. Women religious have a direct interest in health-care reform, she added: "We are the ones who work every day with people who are suffering because they don't have health care."
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Further information:
- Catholic Sisters Support Passage of Healthcare Bill (Network)
- Obama's health care plan picks up support (AP-- scroll down for nuns' statements)
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Posted by: imanxufan9901 -
Mar. 18, 2010 7:56 AM ET USA
What more can one expect from members of the american catholic church?
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Posted by: unum -
Mar. 18, 2010 12:42 AM ET USA
It looks like the Vatican "investigation" of the various religious orders of nuns is both needed and urgent. I'm sure the Vatican will appreciate the nuns letter to Congress that lists exactly where the investigators should look. Now it seems we not only have a "Catholic" Health Association, but also a "Network" of "Catholic" Sisters who believe they know better than the teaching of the Church.
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Posted by: -
Mar. 17, 2010 11:36 PM ET USA
This is sad to me. Openly confronting the Bishops with this position is scandalous. Accusing the Bishops of "false claims" is accusing them of lying.
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Posted by: michaelwilmes -
Mar. 17, 2010 9:28 PM ET USA
And here's a real shocker........
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Posted by: enterprise_coffee6927 -
Mar. 17, 2010 8:06 PM ET USA
I seriously doubt the myriad of Healthcare initiatives before the Congress will provide the help the good nuns seek. Moreover sisters, faith is one issue and politics another. If you have been watching the news on TV you should know the Administration has given the Legislative their criteria and the mixing of the ingredients is proceeding. The desired changes seek to reduce the trillion dollars plus cost per year the CBO believes the bill shall cost the electorate. This isn't chump change
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Posted by: Minnesota Mary -
Mar. 17, 2010 4:39 PM ET USA
I don't think the USCCB will be too upset with these "nuns." They are doing the heavy lifting of pushing through the socialized medicine that the bishops badly want but can't publicly support because of abortion coverage.
