WIVB.com
Posted by: Eli George
Updated: Feb 3, 2012 5:56 PM
BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — The Buffalo Catholic Diocese is taking a very strong stance and plans to defy "Obamacare."
Many western New York Catholics are taking a stand against the President's mandatory health care reform law. The Diocese says it violates church beliefs. But the White House is not backing down.
When western New York Catholics attend mass this weekend, many of their priests will tell them to actively oppose a new federal mandate that requires all employers, even Catholic institutions, to cover contraception in their insurance plans.
Rev. Joseph Gatto of St. Gregory the Great said, "I am going to tell them very clearly, as the letter from the
Bishops says: "We cannot and we will not obey this mandate." "
While implementation of the new regulation is a year away, many Catholics are passionate in their resolve to fight it.
Dr. Marian Gray said, "I am outraged. I think how dare people tell us what to do in our church and in our conscience."
D'Youville College Adjunct Professor Dr. Marvin LaHood said, "We're going to have to provide condoms for our employees there according to the law that has been passed, and that's just against our conscience."
The Obama administration believes the new mandate does not infringe on religious freedom under the Constitution. No health care provider would be forced to prescribe contraception. But it would ease the economic burden for women who want it.
White House Press Secretary Jay Carney said, "We want to make sure that women have access to good health care, no matter where they work, and that all women who want access to contraceptives are able to get them without paying a copay every time they go to the pharmacy."
Any religious institution, like a Catholic School, that provides services to people outside of that religion, would not be exempt from the new mandate. That means most Catholic schools, hospitals, and universities would have to pay the insurance.
Msgr. Robery Zapfel of St. Leo the Great said, "It might mean that some institutions might just say we'll we're not going to abide by this, we'll close, but certainly that would be the end result of a very long process."
Bishop Edward Kmiec believes the issue will eventially be decided by the U.S. Supreme Court.
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mb | February 3 2012 10:09pm
Many people do not understand the reasons behind the Catholic Church's teaching on contraception, nor do they understand how "the pill" works. There has also been little mention of the other "health care services" that all employers, regardless of religious beliefs, would have to provide in their health insurance plans.
So to start with, the Catholic Church is responsible for leading people in ways consistent with the teachings of Jesus Christ and the God-given dignity inherent in human nature. God created sex to be the means for new life to come into existence and to create a unique bond between husband and wife. Contraception purposely hinders God's plan for sex and leads to people using one another rather than loving one another. There is great wisdom in the Church's teaching on contraception. To quantitatively prove this, look at the divorce rates among couples who use artificial means of contraception verses those who use Natural Family Planning.
Secondly, "the pill" and other forms of contraception do not always work as preventing conception; but rather, they may allow conception to take place, but prevent the newly conceived life from implanting in the lining of the uterus of the woman. This, in essence, means that the very young life is aborted.
The pill and other contraceptives also have several very serious side effects that may endanger a woman's health and even her life.
Lastly, as part of the HHS mandate, insurance plans provided by religious organizations would need to cover sterilization and "emergency contraceptives." These also are contrary to Catholic beliefs, because they compromise the dignity of the human person and the sanctity of the sexual act.
The Catholic Church cannot comply with this mandate because, as the Apostles responded when told to stop preaching in Jesus' name, "It is better for us to obey God than men."
oldasdirt61 | February 3 2012 6:39pm
White House Press Secretary Jay Carney said, "We want to make sure that women have access to good health care, no matter where they work, and that all women who want access to contraceptives are able to get them without paying a copay every time they go to the pharmacy."
Any religious institution, like a Catholic School, that provides services to people outside of that religion, would not be exempt from the new mandate. That means most Catholic schools, hospitals, and universities would have to pay the insurance.
So this isn't so bad that a woman should be able to have what she needs. Maybe you should reflect on all the things you do in your little towers as you look down on anyone who isn't catholic. I think its fair and reasonable.
Unless the pope can walk on water and any one of you can turn water into wine,
then heed what Jesus said,
15 Then went the Pharisees, and took counsel how they might entangle him in his talk. 16 And they sent out unto him their disciples with the Herodians, saying, Master, we know that thou art true, and teachest the way of God in truth, neither carest thou for any man: for thou regardest not the person of men. 17 Tell us therefore, What thinkest thou? Is it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar, or not? 18 But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, Why tempt ye me, ye hypocrites? 19 Shew me the tribute money. And they brought unto him a penny. 20 And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription? 21 They say unto him, Caesar's. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's. 22 When they had heard these words, they marvelled, and left him, and went their way.
Matt 22:15-22 (KJV)
I think you can manage this if you are a believer in Jesus...ARE YOU?
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