The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops Statement in response to the White House Proposal

From here:

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) sees initial opportunities in preserving the principle of religious freedom after President Obama’s announcement today. But the Conference continues to express concerns. “While there may be an openness to respond to some of our concerns, we reserve judgment on the details until we have them,” said Cardinal-designate Timothy Dolan, president of USCCB.

“The past three weeks have witnessed a remarkable unity of Americans from all religions or none at all worried about the erosion of religious freedom and governmental intrusion into issues of faith and morals,” he said.

“Today’s decision to revise how individuals obtain services that are morally objectionable to religious entities and people of faith is a first step in the right direction,” Cardinal-designate Dolan said. “We hope to work with the Administration to guarantee that Americans’ consciences and our religious freedom are not harmed by these regulations.”

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6 comments on “The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops Statement in response to the White House Proposal

  1. Capt. Father Warren says:

    [i]We hope to work with the Administration…..[/i]

    Sigh…….and just how has that worked out for you so far?

  2. dwstroudmd+ says:

    This is not a step in the appropriate direction; it is suberfuge and smokescreen only.

    So when does the President have the authority to tell insurers what to do? That’s in what paragraph or sentence or word of the Constitution?

  3. Ad Orientem says:

    Obama’s “compromise” is as phony as a $3 bill. Just some accounting gimmickry that is risible on its face. Obviously the Church is still paying for all of these morally inadmissible things. Unless of course the Administration is now claiming the authority to coerce people into providing free goods and services.

  4. IMGB007 says:

    #3 – Agreed. If this is found to be an acceptable change, methinks they’ve been bamboozled!

  5. Charles52 says:

    The core problem, of course, is that the national government is mandating a morally repugnant activity. We certainly don’t all agree about artificial contraception generally, but I hope no one misses the fact the some of the covered drugs induce an abortion. So that’s what we are talking about.

    A good bit more about the bishop’s response in what are currently the top 3 articles:

    http://whispersintheloggia.blogspot.com/

    As far as the bishops go, they certainly got rolled on this one. Hopefully they learned. More likely, you will see the sort of splitting you are already seeing among Catholics in general. At least some of the libs are going their way, grateful for an excuse to support the president. Everyone united against the direct mandate. That’s over.

  6. Br. Michael says:

    The Catholics will split only if certain Catholic groups want to be fooled, or at least be able to duplicitously claim plausible denyability.