This is from an internal letter circulated to all Catholic bishops. The first part of the letter is similar in content to the Bishops' general communique in a post below this one. However the last part of the letter is extremely important. Where are we going with this and will this lead to justified civil disobedience? This is history, a sad history,in the making, the first time for the Church in America, but not the first time for the Church in her 2000 year history. Governments and civilizations have come and gone, despots deposed and new governments formed, but the Church--the gates of hell shall never prevail against her.
Our brother bishops permit us to repeat the principles that are guiding us:
First, there is the respect for religious liberty. No government has the right to intrude into the affairs of the Church, much less coerce, the Church faithful individuals to engage in or cooperate in any way with immoral practices.
Second, it is the place of the Church, not of government to define its religious identity and ministry.
Third, we continue to oppose the underlying policy of a government mandate for purchase or promotion of contraception, sterilization or abortion inducing drugs.
Thank you, brothers, for your commitment to work with everyone concerned about religious freedom in our society and to advance our principled goals. We will continue to keep you informed as we study this issue and learn more about this policy and our opportunities for its correction. We heartily welcome your observations and continued prayers and support.
Cardinal-designate Timothy M. Dolan
Archbishop of New York
President
Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo
Chairman
Committee on Pro-Life Activities
Cardinal Donald W. Wuerl
Chairman
Committee on Doctrine
Most Reverend William E. Lori
Chairman
Ad Hoc Committee on Religious Liberty
Most Reverend Stephen E. Blaire
Chairman
Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Developmen
3 comments:
I fear I'm catching a faint whiff of episcopal capitulation from the wording of this letter, in phrases such as "underlying policy" and "continue to study."
Many are missing the other picture here and that is that Church teaching would not permit a government to force even private employers to provide this sort of healthcare to employees. This is true even if the healthcare plan did not involve morally reprehensible aspects. The Church does not condone the excessive use of governmental power over its people.
I hope the bishops start mentioning that aspect because, even if they were duped into going along with this compromise (which Deo gratias it appears they are not), they need to wage this war on all fronts from a strategic point of view as well as a doctrinal point of view.
"First...No government has the right to intrude into the affairs of the Church, much less coerce, the Church faithful individuals to engage in or cooperate in any way with immoral practices." - tell that to Lord Obama, who is charging hard in the footsteps of Henry VIII & England's Act of Settlement. The real question is going to be what WE as Catholics will do about it. I am very grateful for Bishops like Dolan & Chaput who are using both their authority AND their anatomy to lead the faithful into battle. Because - make no mistake - we are in a battle... -pgal
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