Have you ever wondered about the miracle of the American Revolution? I mean really wondered how a colony with little resources was able to coordinate a movement to declare independence from the most powerful empire in the world? And then win its independence? How much thought have you given to the following entreaty in this declaration:
And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.
The 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence understood one concept: it is God’s natural law that man is free. If this concept is correct, then God will protect them and their efforts. Any nation that does not support freedom is acting in violation of God’s laws. Period.
Honor was not enough to accomplish this task, they needed sacred Honor. Our educational system does not teach our children about the Black Regiment or the Presbyterian War. But neither do we or our churches. I have publicly stated over the past three years that government is not alone in failing our country: the churches and schools are also culpable. We must correct all three if we are ever to have hope of regaining our nation’s honor and freedom.
The Catholic Church has stood up across the country and issued a statement at every mass on January 29, 2012 condemning the Obama administration’s healthcare legislation. The statements varied but the succinct message by Cardinal-designate Timothy M. Dolan, archbishop of New York and president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops clarifies what we are facing:
“In effect, the president is saying we have a year to figure out how to violate our consciences”
I want to stress that it is up to us as individuals as opposed to the collective to stand up. As George Washington realized, “the time for petitions is over” and action is our only recourse. I don’t need a year to “figure out” whether I should support government as it is now or government as given to our country by Providence in 1783 by the Treaty of Paris.
When are the rest of the churches going to stand up? As individuals, our plan of action is clear: we must confront our clergy with this simple question: do you support God or government? The veil has now been torn in their 501(C)3 temples and there is no place left to hide. Either our churches stand up or we find churches that will. Or we can take the “radical” position as outlined in the Bible and take back our churches. People are the churches as much as people are the government. Stop tithing or donate your tithes to a charity until the ministers and pastors preach and practice the Word of God. Any church which does not condemn this legislation as the Catholic Church has done, does not stand up for God’s natural laws and the sanctity of life.
David DeGerolamo
Catholic Churches Distribute Letter Opposing Obama Healthcare Rule
Catholic parishioners around the country were read letters this morning written by church leadership railing against an Obama administration ruling that requires employers to provide health insurance plans that include contraceptive coverage.
Churches and other houses of worship are exempt from the guidelines but Catholic hospitals, colleges, and social services fall under the umbrella of institutions covered by the decision.
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The letters were penned by individual clergy, so variations exist in what was read at each Sunday Mass, but the overall theme is unified.
One letter from the Archdiocese of Washington says, “Catholic moral teachings will be placed in the untenable position of having to choose between violating the law and violating their conscience.”
In another from the Diocese of Phoenix, Arizona, a bishop calls on Catholics to stand united against the rule.
“We cannot — we will not — comply with this unjust law,” it reads. “People of faith cannot be made second class citizens.”
U.S. Bishops Vow To Fight HHS Edict
Unconscionable to force citizens to buy contraceptives against their will
No change in limited exemption, only delay in enforcement
Matter of freedom of conscience, freedom of religion
WASHINGTON—The Catholic bishops of the United States called “literally unconscionable” a decision by the Obama Administration to continue to demand that sterilization, abortifacients and contraception be included in virtually all health plans. Today’s announcement means that this mandate and its very narrow exemption will not change at all; instead there will only be a delay in enforcement against some employers.
“In effect, the president is saying we have a year to figure out how to violate our consciences,” said Cardinal-designate Timothy M. Dolan, archbishop of New York and president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.
The cardinal-designate continued, “To force American citizens to choose between violating their consciences and forgoing their healthcare is literally unconscionable.It is as much an attack on access to health care as on religious freedom. Historically this represents a challenge and a compromise of our religious liberty.”
The HHS rule requires that sterilization and contraception – including controversial abortifacients – be included among “preventive services” coverage in almost every healthcare plan available to Americans. “The government should not force Americans to act as if pregnancy is a disease to be prevented at all costs,” added Cardinal-designate Dolan.
At issue, the U.S. bishops and other religious leaders insist, is the survival of a cornerstone constitutionally protected freedom that ensures respect for the conscience of Catholics and all other Americans.
“This is nothing less than a direct attack on religion and First Amendment rights,” said Franciscan Sister Jane Marie Klein, chairperson of the board at Franciscan Alliance, Inc., a system of 13 Catholic hospitals. “I have hundreds of employees who will be upset and confused by this edict. I cannot understand it at all.”
Daughter of Charity Sister Carol Keehan, president and chief executive officer of the Catholic Health Association of the United States, voiced disappointment with the decision. Catholic hospitals serve one out of six people who seek hospital care annually.
“This was a missed opportunity to be clear on appropriate conscience protection,” Sister Keehan said.
Cardinal-designate Dolan urged that the HHS mandate be overturned.
“The Obama administration has now drawn an unprecedented line in the sand,” he said. “The Catholic bishops are committed to working with our fellow Americans to reform the law and change this unjust regulation. We will continue to study all the implications of this troubling decision.”
