Religious freedom???

Recent addendum to the U.S. Health Care law has included coverage for women's health concerns. Recent wording though has adopted the inclusions of sterilization, abortion, and contraceptives.  This has been a controversial addition which seems to disregard the concerns of many lawmakers, Pro-life groups, and those advocating exceptions based on religious and moral grounds; especially the U.S. Bishops.  The Institute of Medicine focused less on preventive measures and more on abortive and reproductive coverage.

Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo, Archbishop of Galveston-Houston, chairperson of the Bishop's Committee on Pro-life activities, voiced serious concerns over the very narrow exception that is written into the legislation.  Cardinal DiNardo has urged the passage of the Respect for Rights of Conscience Act, which would prevent these and other like mandates written into the Health Care Reform.  DiNardo stated that he present law deletes the fundamental  we enjoy, and is, "Being used to disregard the freedom of conscience that Americans now enjoy." 

The new legislation would not exempt Catholics health care providers from referring women to services for sterilization, abortion, or contraceptives.   This law would include individual catholics as well as the institutions themselves.  In a very real way the catholics would be required to act against their own conscience, and participate in a manner contrary to the Church's teaching.  DiNardo has encouraged this Rights of Conscience Act not only for Catholic concerns, but for all men and women of faith who desire to follow the precepts of their religious teachings.

John Paul the Great was so very perceptive when he referred to our culture as a 'Culture of Death.'  Our sexuality, and the life that results therein, are seen mostly as a byproduct or an inconvenience, rather than a gift or part of a divine plan.  Living in a culture that is over-sexed we continue to express a desire for instant gratification, removing any guilt or responsibility wherever possible.  All the while we denigrate the integrity and dignity of the Human Person.

These are the moments that we need to scribble out that email to our congress-people, and talk to our friends and neighbors.  Too often we  rely on the sound bytes from T.V. news for our information.  It is important to visit the U.S. Congress websites from time to time, and the U.S. Catholic Bishops sites.

Jesus has given us the mandate to go out and share the Good News.  To be sure the dignity and respect of life is certainly Good News.