Cardinal Dolan laments opposition to conscience-protection, school-choice bills
January 12, 2016
Calling for increased Catholic participation in the political process, Cardinal Timothy Dolan of New York criticized “Democratic leadership on the Hill and at the White House” for opposing conscience-protection and school-choice legislation.
“As regrettable as is the abortion license in America, what’s more frightening is the fact that now, not only is abortion allowed, but our tax money goes to subsidize it, people and religious organizations are being coerced to pay for it, and physicians, nurses, and health care professionals are being more and more forced to perform the morbid procedure,” he wrote.
“The data is clear that many of our health care workers have been harassed, and even threatened with the loss of their jobs, just because of their grave objection in conscience to the termination of the fragile life of the baby in the womb,” he continued. “We saw, somberly, what happened. Republican leadership claimed they would fight for ANDA [the Abortion Non-Discrimination Act]; Democratic leadership on the Hill and at the White House, opposed it. ANDA did not make it.”
He added:
And another of our favored causes—the rights of our children, especially poor kids, to receive a quality education in a school their parents choose—also missed a critical opportunity in the recently approved budget … The Republican leadership and some Democrats voiced support for this Scholarships for Opportunity and Results Act (SOAR), while Democratic leaders on the Hill and in the White House opposed it. Sorry to repeat myself, but—while the program was at least mercifully continued at present low subsidies for one more year—SOAR did not leave the launching pad.
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Further information:
- Election Year Is No Time for Catholics to Give In (Archdiocese of New York)
- USCCB president decries failure to pass conscience-protection legislation (CWN, 12/24)
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Posted by: skall391825 -
Jan. 12, 2016 7:49 PM ET USA
Frodo1945 is right. Where was the Cardinal in 2008 and 2012? Now, after the boat has sailed, he calls for Catholic participation in the political process. He usually doesn't much care for orthodox Catholic participation, especially in matters such as inviting militant homosexuals to march in Catholic parades.
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Posted by: rik92vin8086 -
Jan. 12, 2016 3:16 PM ET USA
its an odd thing that a government (any party or system) would make acting on your values illegal even in situations where noone gets hurt. If I refuse to fill a prescription, there is no risk that the prescription would NOT be filled. Same with abortion, certain surgeries, cakes, whatever. There are countless other providers. Its strange that we are forced to swallow their garbage. Stranger still that they require us to smile and thank them.
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Posted by: Frodo1945 -
Jan. 12, 2016 12:29 PM ET USA
Yadee yadee yadee. I'm sorry, Archbishop Dolan was used by the Administration to help pass Obamacare and now is stuck with an administration hostile to the church who see him as irrelevant, a non-player, all talk and no action. They say to themselves-"How many divisions does Cardinal Dolan have?" and they answer themselves - "none."
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Posted by: unum -
Jan. 12, 2016 12:27 PM ET USA
I am please to See Cardinal Dolan's call to the laity for political action, instead of the USCCB clergy's presumed monopoly on lobbying. But, he would encourage more Catholics to use their time and talents by informing them what the legislative goals are and then calling the lay organizations and individuals to action. God has blessed the Church with many talented lay persons who need only to be led and inspired by the clergy!
