Local Bishop conferences doing the right thing
MADISON - As Gov. Jim Doyle was telling Wisconsinites on Aug. 17 that he would not seek a third term as governor, the Catholic bishops of Wisconsin were letting the faithful know of their "deep concern" about the recently approved state budget that requires them to provide contraceptive services to those for whom they provide health insurance. "This mandate will compel Catholic dioceses, parishes, and other agencies that buy health insurance to pay for a medical service that Catholic teaching holds to be gravely immoral," the bishops wrote.... "This mandate violates not just our religious values, but also our constitutional rights. The right of conscience established in the Wisconsin Constitution protects the minority from the majority..." the bishops wrote. Insurance coverage in two dioceses - Superior and La Crosse - is not affected by this mandate because self-insured entities are exempt from the contraceptive provision. The statement, released through the Wisconsin Catholic Conference, noted that "as Catholic teachers and pastors, we strongly object to this blatant insensitivity to our moral values and legal rights." [reference]
Missouri Catholic Conference Applauds Gov. Nixon's Commitment to Fully Fund Alternatives to Abortion Program
August 20, 2009, JEFFERSON CITY, MO - Today Governor Jay Nixon committed to fully funding the Alternatives to Abortion (ATA) program for state fiscal year 2010. Cuts were proposed by the Missouri Department of Health in June in response to the current state budget crisis.
"We thank Gov. Nixon for securing ATA funding during these difficult economic times. The Alternatives to Abortion (ATA) program is very important for thousands of women and their children, born and unborn," said Deacon Larry Weber, Executive Director of the Missouri Catholic Conference. The ATA program, which has spanned a dozen years and four gubernatorial administrations, has proven year in and year out to be an effective means of providing help to pregnant women who may be at risk of an abortion."
The ATA program is allocated $1.9 million, which represents a very modest investment toward saving unborn children and assisting women in crisis pregnancies. Research shows that providing alternative services encourages more women to carry their unborn child to term thereby reducing the number of abortions.
Missouri has been a leader in reducing abortions and the ATA program has been a key-component of that pro-life effort. The Missouri Catholic Conference (MCC) would like to congratulate the pro-life citizens for their hard work and voices heard in support of the program.[reference]
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With regard to the idea of health insurance benefits covering contraceptives:
I have always wondered what illness that coverage is supposedly covering.
Just a few thoughts on the push to force Catholics, churches or schools to provide funding for what is against our faith.
Since I am rather ornery to begin with, the first thing that comes to mind is civil disobedience and absolute refusal to provide it.
Next,legally oppose this law. The government is attempting to forcefully rewrite what Catholics as well as the Orthodox and other Christians are permitted to believe and how they have to act.
My last thought on this is to quit providing the insurance. A monthly stipend could be given to each employee who must then go out and independently buy their own health care somewhere. This will certainly cause hardships for many, but throughout Catholic history, there have been many worse hardships to endure for the sake of the faith.
Very interesting site. Hope it will always be alive!,
This is the welcome page for the dentaldoctor.us Association web site.
This is the welcome page for the dentaldoctor.us Association web site.
This is the welcome page for the dentaldoctor.us Association web site.