The United States Catholic Conference of Bishops has issued the following statement in response to Obama's latest mandate:
Bishops Studying Initial White House Movement on Religious Liberty
February 10, 2012
New opportunity to dialogue with executive branch
Too soon to tell whether and how much improvement on core concerns
Commitment to religious liberty for all means legislation still necessary
WASHINGTON— The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) sees initial opportunities in preserving the principle of religious freedom after President Obama’s announcement today. But the Conference continues to express concerns. “While there may be an openness to respond to some of our concerns, we reserve judgment on the details until we have them,” said Cardinal-designate Timothy Dolan, president of USCCB.
“The past three weeks have witnessed a remarkable unity of Americans from all religions or none at all worried about the erosion of religious freedom and governmental intrusion into issues of faith and morals,” he said.
“Today’s decision to revise how individuals obtain services that are morally objectionable to religious entities and people of faith is a first step in the right direction,” Cardinal-designate Dolan said. “We hope to work with the Administration to guarantee that Americans’ consciences and our religious freedom are not harmed by these regulations.”
Cardinal-designate Dolan calls Obama's latest mandate to be a "first step in the right direction."
It would appear Dolan believes it's the first step on a journey.
More from Dolan:
"While there may be an openness to respond to some of our concerns, we reserve judgment on the details until we have them," Cardinal-designate and Conference president Timothy Dolan said.
"Today's decision to revise how individuals obtain services that are morally objectionable to religious entities and people of faith is a first step in the right direction," he added. "We hope to work with the Administration to guarantee that Americans' consciences and our religious freedom are not harmed by these regulations."
Newark Archbishop John Myers isn't pleased with Obama's spin on his mandate.
From CBS New York:
Obama hopes that the announcement will be seen as an accommodation to Catholic Church leaders furious that they have been told Catholic institutions like schools and hospitals will have to pay for birth control and “morning after” pills as part of their employee health packages.
The proposal allows religious employers not to offer the contraception care they object to. Insurance companies will be required to offer care directly to those employees.
“Religious liberty will be protected and a law that requires free preventative care will not discriminate against women,” Obama said.
The compromise did little to appease Newark Archbishop John Myers.
“This step doesn’t truly address the religious liberty issues or the conscience protection issues,” said archdiocese spokesman Jim Goodness.
“To pretend that we get something out of this when all you’re doing is a back door technique is insulting and quite frankly, it’s also devious,” said Catholic League president Bill Donohue.
He says the compromise will pit more liberal Catholics against conservatives.
2 comments:
This is not a "compromise", it is a divisive political maneuver. The Catholic leadership has been fooled by Obama enough times...hopefully they don't fall for it again.
You said it in an earlier post - you don't compromise on fundamental moral positions.
Everything Obama does is a political maneuver. Very disappointing.
It appears that the Catholic leadership haven't been duped again by Obama and the Democrats. I hope they continue to stand strong.
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