US bishops: Enact conscience-protection legislation
April 07, 2011
Cardinal Daniel DiNardo, chairman of the Committee on Pro-Life Activities of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), is urging members of Congress to support the Respect for Rights of Conscience Act of 2011 to “help ensure that the new health care reform act is not misused to violate the religious freedom and rights of conscience of those who offer and purchase health insurance coverage in our nation.”
Health care legislation enacted in 2010 “arbitrarily and inexplicably does not protect the many religious denominations--including those providing the backbone of the nonprofit health care system in this country--whose moral teaching rejects specific procedures,” said Cardinal DiNardo. “Mandated inclusion of contraception, sterilization and abortifacient drugs in health plans poses an obvious potential conflict with rights of conscience.”
“Such conflicts would also arise if [the Department of Health and Human Services] mandates inclusion of some fertility treatments such as in vitro fertilization, treatments using material from deliberately killed unborn children, or other procedures specifically rejected by the teachings of some religions,” he added.
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Posted by: impossible -
Apr. 12, 2011 7:38 PM ET USA
USCCB: When you lie down with dogs, you get fleas. When you put a fox in charge, you endanger the flock. It isn't a common ground your pals are seeking, but rather a burial ground for a formerly moral society. You have forgotten the proper function of bishops, individually and collectively, is first of all to teach in union with the Magisterium, not to lend your "pulpit" to the service of those whose goals are inimical to the Church and to the good of America.
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Posted by: Hal -
Apr. 07, 2011 11:20 AM ET USA
He, USCCB, you got in bed with Obama and his cronies and now they turn around and act like fascists on life issues. Wow, I'm like, totally surprised. More fool you, I guess.
