Bishop Kudrick and I suspect all of our bishop in conjunction with the USCCB sent a letter to be read in our parishes in opposition to the government's frontal attack upon the Catholic Church. I hope it's not offensive to anyone that I am very thankful that our bishop did this. After Father read the letter there were several very loud "Amens" uttered and even a brief round of applause. Very refreshing.

Thanks for posting this, Dan.

The text of the letter can be read on the front page of the Eparchy of Parma's site.

Many years,

Neil

Qui morde du pape en meurt. Biting pope'll kill ya.

Did our other bishops do the same? It's very encouraging to see our bishop lead in this area.

You will be hearing much more of this issue in the future. The President delayed implementation for one year so that it won't blemish his re-election effort. God help us if he is re-elected!

The ruling mandates forced offering of sterilization, abortion-inducing drugs, and contraception for all employers' private hospitalization plans, including diocesan, monastic, social service and Catholic hospital plans.

I quote an excerpt from the USCCB's response:

We cannot--we will not--comply with this unjust law. People of faith cannot be made second class citizens. We are already joined by our brothers and sisters of all faiths and many others of good will in this important effort to regain our religious freedom. Our parents and grandparents did not come to these shores to help build America's cities and towns, its infrastructure and institutions, its enterprise and culture, only to have their posterity stripped of their God given rights. In generations past, the Church has always been able to count on the faithful to stand up and protect her sacred rights and duties. I hope and trust shhe can count on this generation of Catholics to do the same.

Fr Deacon Paul

Bishop John is a natural leader IMO and does not seem to shy away from challenging subjects!

On the East Coast, I have not seen or heard anything from our hierarchy, but this matter was emphasized by our parish priest. The lack of word from above could simply be a result of Archbishop-elect William's recent appointment and understandable focus on other matters.

As a New Yorker, we have heard Cardinal-designate Dolan speak quite prolifically and passionately on this subject of late. His natural honesty and sincerity certainly play well when he chooses to speak publicly on important matters.

I do hope American Catholics consider all of this carefully as we head to the polls in the coming weeks and months ahead!

The Administrator for the Pittsburgh Archeparchy, Father Eugene, emailed the letter to all the clergy and religious, encouraging them to insert it in the bulletin.

We received the letter as a bulletin insert, signed by Bishop Gerald.

We received the letter in our bulletin. It was also the focus of the homily. To paraphrase something that our priest, who grew up under Communism, said: "If America falters in the area of religious liberty, so will the rest of the world."

CD "Meta Physical" L:

Tomassus placed a link in another thread that I've moved here.

Sayedna (Nicholas Samra) has been busy at the keyboard. He recently issued two other pastoral letters: one on February 7th, "Letter to Melkite Faithful on Religious Liberty" concerning the Sebelius Obamacare ukase (text at https://melkite.org/eparchy/chancery/letter-to-melkite-faithful-on-religious-liberty)

Bob
Moderator

So much of this depends upon the faithfulness of Catholic business owners to refuse either to buy such insurance or to pay any fines whatsoever. It also depends on the courage of our bishops. Will they risk their lives and reputations to stand against this and so many other moves that are destined to follow...unless we can change the hearts of the evil people in Washington.

Another question, Carson, is will Catholics follow their bishop's leadership, or will they object?

This is an issue where we need solidarity. For if this policy remains uncontested the Church and its people will suffer. Generally the media has follow the Administration and framed this the Church wanting to take away contraception. The real issue is the first amendment.

If you read any Yahoo news posts on this subject you will see there are many people who HATE the Church and shocking blaspheme our God. This troubling attitude is growing by leaps and bounds. Satan has been unleashed and these people have been willingly deceived by the "father of lies."

Some of those Yahoo posts are filled with rage and hate against the Church, it is very hard to read them without feeling upset! But this is how far culture has changed. And yes, how well the "father of lies" has done so well in so many lives.