HHS mandate: Catholic governor criticizes ‘hyperventilating’
February 06, 2012
A Catholic governor has defended the Obama adminstration’s contraceptive-coverage mandate, which would compel many Catholic institutions to offer coverage for contraception and sterilizations.
“There has been a little bit too much hyperventilating over this issue,” said Gov. Martin O’Malley of Maryland. “This is not about abortion, it's about covering contraception as part of the health care coverage--mandatory basic coverage.”
“These same rules apply in countries like Italy, which have overwhelming numbers of Catholics, and yet we did not see the reaction in those countries to these sorts of things,” added O’Malley, who favors legalized abortion and same-sex marriage.
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Posted by: DCpa -
Feb. 07, 2012 10:50 AM ET USA
Americans often "hyperventilate" over old-fashioned things like Freedom of Religion and Freedom of Conscience. What's the matter with you, Governor O'Malley? Don't like freedom when it doesn't agree with your group?
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Posted by: samuel.doucette1787 -
Feb. 07, 2012 8:12 AM ET USA
Many of the comments have indicated the true cause of the problem: lack of episcopal leadership. Yes, the bishops have said some strong words, but so far that's all they are: words. We need manly and decisive ACTION from them because like rebellious children, they are testing their limits and getting away with it again and again. It's like some parents say: If you do X one more time, you get a spanking. "One more time" comes and goes, and no spanking occurs.
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Posted by: -
Feb. 07, 2012 7:22 AM ET USA
Cardinal-Elect Wuerl: Make the Pope proud of you before you meet him, by censuring that Gov. O'Malley. The devil is defying you until you do.
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Posted by: impossible -
Feb. 06, 2012 11:43 PM ET USA
Why be so hard on O'Malley. He's just exercising the option provided by Faithful Citizenship from USCCB. Nancy Pelosi is doing likewise. Come on bishops, it's time to snap out of your "Rip van Winkle" snooze and smell the roses. Why are the bishops whining about the mess they are continuing to aid and abet.?
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Posted by: LCRich -
Feb. 06, 2012 10:50 PM ET USA
If O'Mally knows the Catholic faith, rejects the teachings and speaks publicly against Church those teachings, he is not a Catholic. He is creating scandal so I pray he confesses, amends his ways, and returns to the One True Faith.
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Posted by: marianjohn7861 -
Feb. 06, 2012 8:25 PM ET USA
I and some of my friends are comparing notes and are wondering why some of the priests in our locality did not read the letter from the bishop at Mass. Their answer would be that they "didn't have to".
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Posted by: AgnesDay -
Feb. 06, 2012 3:46 PM ET USA
Now let's hear Bishops tell their priests that they must preach at least once a month on the grave sinfulness of the Pill, sterilizations and IUDs. Waiting...still waiting....
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Posted by: -
Feb. 06, 2012 10:54 AM ET USA
O'Malley's arrogance stupefies but doesn't surprise. He and his wife along w/lots of self-described Catholics will try anew to jam same-sex "marriage" down the throats of MD residents. I would MUCH prefer O'Malley to govern in and speak for ITALY. Waiting for Cardinal-elect Wuerl and Cardinal-elect O'Brien to correct and censure Gov. O'Malley. Waiting...still waiting...
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Posted by: John J Plick -
Feb. 06, 2012 9:43 AM ET USA
This is exactly the problem that the WHOLE Catholic Church has; foolish remarks like this which undermine the faith and border on wickedness. I was there with two deacons and one of their wives when the homosexual marriage bill came out of committee in the New Jersey State Senate. You could hear the cheers and applause mount whenever remarks were made that so-called Catholic countries such as Iceland, Brazil and Argentina had adopted same-sex marriage. Let their countries go to Hell if they wish
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Posted by: -
Feb. 06, 2012 8:11 AM ET USA
Some Catholics have criticized the Bishops for leaning more heavily on a First Amendment argument rather than a argument about the intrinsic evil of contraception/abortion. But I think they are right to do so - the Bishops are making their argument to AMERICANS, not Italians, and they need to make their fellow citizens see the basic un-Americanness of what Obama is attempting. They stand a better chance of winning that argument on the basis of religious liberty.
