I'm Stepping into the Political Fray (2nd post today)

Like many other bloggers (Colleen from Thoughts on Grace & Judy from Benmakesten), I normally tend to steer clear of politics here on my blog. However, there is a GREAT threat to Americans, esp. Catholics, right now & I cannot in good conscience remain silent.

Recently, the Obama administration announced through the US Department of Health & Human Services that almost all employers would be required (forced) to provide health care services that include sterilization, abortion-inducing drugs, & contraception to their employees. It will be written into their policies & employees will be forced to buy the coverage. This includes Catholic hospitals, schools/universities, charities & more. Their reasoning for taking away our religious rights & for not allowing an exemption is that all these institutions provide care/education for anyone, not just Catholics.

As Catholic Charities USA's president, the Rev. Larry Snyder, notes, even Jesus and His disciples would not qualify for the exemption in that case, because they were committed to serve those of other faiths. (from Archbishop Timothy Dolan's article in The Wall Street Journal - You can read his full article HERE.)

THIS IS HORRIBLY WRONG! We, as Catholics & many others, have fought (& continue to fight) to save human lives, NOT provide access to the prevention & murder of innocent babies in the womb. The loss of respect for the sanctity of life is growing more each day & I fear for the future.

It is a violation of our religious freedom stated in the First Amendment of the US Constitution.

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

Also in The Wall Street Journal article, Archbishop Dolan said:

The Catholic Church defends religious liberty, including freedom of conscience, for everyone. The Amish do not carry health insurance. The government respects their principles. Christian Scientists want to heal by prayer alone, and the new health-care reform law respects that. Quakers and others object to killing even in wartime, and the government respects that principle for conscientious objectors. By its decision, the Obama administration has failed to show the same respect for the consciences of Catholics and others who object to treating pregnancy as a disease. (see link above for the complete article)

I hope & pray that Catholics across America will join the fight against this bill. Strike that...I hope & pray that EVERYONE across America will join the fight. After all, ALL life is precious!

* Above all else...PRAY, PRAY, PRAY!
* Spread the word & let our nation's leaders know that we WILL NOT STAND for this.
* Contact your congressmen & state representatives.
* Write to your local newspaper.
* Become an informed citizen.

For more information, you can click on the following links:
US Conference of Catholic Bishops - links include background, what's new, & advocacy work
Bishop Campbell's Letter to the Columbus Diocese - letter by our local bishop to our diocese churches & similar to other bishops' letters to their churches across the country