Bishop Clark urges protest of HHS decision

Posted: February 3, 2012

Last Updated: February 10, 2012

CNS photo by Nancy Phelan Wiechec

The headquarters of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is seen in Washington Nov. 4. Bishop Matthew H. Clark is among the many national Catholic leaders expressing outrage and dismay regarding the HHS mandate that nearly all employers offer health-care plans that include coverage for sterilization, abortion-inducing drugs and contraception.

Bishop Clark urges protest of HHS decision

By Mike Latona/Catholic Courier

Bishop Matthew H. Clark is among the many national Catholic leaders expressing outrage and dismay regarding the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) mandate that nearly all employers offer health-care plans that include coverage for sterilization, abortion-inducing drugs and contraception. This edict is set to take effect Aug. 1, 2012.

"Unless the ruling is overturned, we Catholics will be required either to violate our consciences or drop health coverage for our employees," Bishop Clark stated in a letter that was to be printed in all diocesan parish bulletins Feb. 4-5.

The bishop urged Catholics to visit www.usccb.org/conscience "to learn about this assault on religious liberty, and to learn how to contact Congress in support of legislation that will reverse this administrative decision." He also asked the diocesan community "to commit ourselves to prayer and fasting that wisdom and justice might prevail, and that true religious liberty might be restored."

The HHS announced its mandate on Jan. 20, setting off a firestorm of reaction. Although Kathleen Sebelius, secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, noted that nonprofit groups that do not provide contraceptive coverage because of their religious beliefs will get an additional year to adapt to this new rule, Cardinal-designate Timothy Dolan -- archbishop of New York and president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops -- countered that, "In effect, the president is saying we have a year to figure out how to violate our consciences."

Meanwhile, Bishop David A. Zubik of Pittsburgh used even stronger language in a column titled "To Hell with You." In his column Bishop Zubik wrote that Sebelius and the Obama administration "have said 'To hell with you' to the Catholic faithful of the United States. To hell with your religious beliefs. To hell with your religious liberty. To hell with your freedom of conscience. We'll give you a year, they are saying, and then you have to knuckle under."

"Catholics and all people of faith have reason to be alarmed when the government oversteps itself with regards to fundamental rights," remarked Jann Armantrout, life-issues coordinator for the Diocese of Rochester. "The government has no business defining what a faith is and what is a permitted expression of religion."

Sebelius said that religious organizations can be exempt from the requirement if they meet such criteria as having religious values as their purpose, and employing and serving people who share those values. Yet the New York State Catholic Conference, in encouraging Catholics to contact their legislators regarding the HHS mandate, stated that "virtually all the Catholic Church's ministries -- schools, colleges, hospitals, nursing homes, Catholic Charities agencies -- are deemed not sufficiently Catholic to get an exemption, simply because (as Jesus did) our ministries serve people of all faiths."

"These organizations fulfill vital functions in our community but were formed first and foremost to minister in the name of Jesus Christ, to continue his ministry here on earth," Armantrout agreed.

The state Catholic conference is instead pushing for passage of the Respect for Rights of Conscience Act (H.R. 1179, S. 1467), which would ensure the continued right to provide or enroll in coverage that does not violate religious and moral convictions.

Contains reporting by Catholic News Service.

Comments

by Ben Anderson on February 3, 2012, 3:19 PM: Thank you to Bishop Clark for speaking to this issue and thanks to the Courier (Mike) for reporting it. Hopefully Catholics will make their voices heard.

by Paul Westbrook on February 6, 2012, 11:31 AM: At 56 years old, I am just 3years a Catholic; but I love my new-found faith. I appreciate the strenth of delivery and the clarity of your message. It is the message of the whole church and should be the message of our whole country. To do what is right on this issue exposes us to open ridicule and attack...it takes courage. Let's pray for courage and "get after it!"

by Beth Lucia on February 6, 2012, 5:31 PM: All Christian faiths must not be forced into providing insurance for contraception, sterilization, or abortion drugs. No one is taking away the right of man or woman to live as they believe is best for them. Rather, I believe no government has the right to enforce an institution or corporation to pay for these services that go against the very nature of their religious beliefs.

by Rich Leonardi on February 6, 2012, 6:18 PM: Ditto. Thanks, Mike, for another excellent report, and, more importantly, thank you, Your Excellency, for opposing this edict.

by Kristen on February 6, 2012, 8:28 PM: It's just so unfair that Catholics have become some of the most ridiculed and desciminated-against groups of people. Our beliefs are constantly ignored and not respected by TV/radio personalities, politicians and other organizations. It seems the only groups that aren't desciminated against are those that deny any faith affiliation. I definitely believe that not allowing Catholic organizations to be true to their values is unconstitutional. I understand that Catholic hospitals and schools serve all faiths, however, if the employees have an issue with their birth control pills not being covered, then they don't need to work there - they don't need to work for a Cathoic institution. If the employees respect the core values of the Church and decided to apply for a job at a Catholic run system, then the fact that they are expected to abide by the Church's beliefs should come as no surprise. And this is not to say that non-Catholics shouldn't be employed at these facilities, it's just that employees need to be understanding of our customs and faith if they want to join our causes.

by Scott Johnston on February 7, 2012, 4:24 PM

This issue ties in with the one that Catholic adoption agencies would be required to facilitate adoptions into same-sex parented households. That has led to Catholic adoption agencies to fold.

Catholic agencies have long had the positions outlined in the Bishop's letter and I predict that if this goes to court (Supreme Court, perhaps), the Catholic position will be upheld.

However, I think the Church authorities err when they lump contraception with abortion. The latter is a sin (killing innocent life) and contraception is not, in the minds of most Catholics. It is not an "evil". A true "evil" is war, abortion, child abuse, etc. However, that said, The Church has the right to have their policies regarding health insurance reflect these beliefs. And I support the Bishop's statement.

The Obama administration should not take the so-called "Catholic vote" for granted, if enough Catholics perceive this as an attack on the ministries of the Catholic Church. Obama has to step in and reverse this decision - otherwise, the Supreme Court will. By the way, Sebelius is ignorant. Just like Bachmann, Boxer, and O'Donnell. Ignorance and stupidity are shared by all political parties with unbridled enthusiasm.