Archbishop José H. Gomez:
The federal government’s new mandate — requiring Catholic charities, schools, universities and hospitals to supply employees with health insurance that covers birth control, sterilization and abortion-inducing drugs — has become maybe the most controversial issue of our day.
I’ve been inspired by the unified reaction from our Catholic community. The bishops of almost every diocese in the country have spoken out. So have our largest Catholic institutions. Many individual Catholics — of every political opinion — have united in opposition.Other religious groups and many other Americans have also joined the protest — because this new mandate, of course, affects every employer in America.
As this debate continues, it is important to remember that the Catholic Church did not choose this conflict.The Church wants to be a partner with our neighbors and our government in building a more just and peaceful society — a society more worthy of the dignity of the human person who is the image of God. The Church’s mission in our society is to teach, heal and to care for others; to pray and to lead our neighbors to God.Our freedom to carry out our mission is totally threatened by this new mandate. But we are not just protecting our own parochial interests. As I have said, the issues at stake go far beyond the morality of contraception. This government mandate threatens the basic character of our society and puts every American’s freedom at risk.
Wonder if this mandate isn't going to have more people saying Obama really is a Muslim when asked in future polls? Sure looks like Obama's version of feminist/pro-choice sharia law will be imposed on Catholics.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseTurtle: is this what you consider an intelligent contribution to the conversation? It wouldn't occur to you that the catholic church is defending a doctrine fashioned by humans, not any god, and that this is really their attempt to preserve their power over the flock?
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseNah -- it's all politics all the time for Obama. When one views the State as the end-all, be-all, there's not much room left for matters divine.
And strategically, muddying the waters by making this a pseudo-religious question takes the focus off where it should be: limited government, full stop.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseTired -- that's a strange enough comment that it suggests you might be a troll. Ain't nothing "feminist" nor in fact "pro-choice" about sharia.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseGiven that 98 of Catholic women take birth control as some point and that the Church is taking federal money to do secular things, this seems reasonable to me. Similarly, the state can tell the priests that they can't run an organized international child rape program, because it's not OK to rape children in America. But I guess the bishops didn''t see things that way either.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseI'm concerned that if the Catholic Church and it's associated enterprises gets an Executive (read Imperial) waiver, it will go quietly back to tacitly supporting this regime and it's erosion of our Liberties. Would they really demand a repeal of the law for all and on principle?
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseIt frustrates me when some members of the Catholic heirarchy come out for left wing causes, with the illusion of helping the misfortunate. (I am Catholic and attend church weekly)
Jesus called us individiually to help those in need, not lobby for the government to create a program funded by other people's money.
In the parable of the Good Samaritan, Christ praised the Samaritan who took the man in the road to an inn and provided him with aid. He didn't saying, "And the Samaritan saw the man in the road and was indigant that the government wasn't helping him."
Some in the Catholic heirarchy foolishly put any trust in the same group of people who advocate for infanticide.
What gives me hope is that this Pope has replaced some of the not-so-good bishops with better ones.
Reply to this commentLinkReport Abuse"...some members of the Catholic heirarchy "
Some members? The UCCB is one of the most left leaning "social justice" advocates in the country. If it were not for the issues of abortion, assisted suicide and homosexuality, their agenda would be indistinguishable from Bernie Sanders.
I'm Catholic and attend weekly Mass, but I also recognize that the Catholic Church generally, but particularly in the US, is a champion of Socialism.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseYeah, I had a similar thought when I read the part saying the Chuch did not request this conflict. I thought of the frog and scorpion. The scorpion will do what a scorpion does and so will Mammom.
The Church has a responsibility to not let anyone even inadvertently believe that giving to Caesar is the functional equivalent of giving to God. Or giving to charity. When the Church pretends it can have a meaningful partnership with grasping politicians not much good can come of it.
You could say the Church is asking for trouble. (Which in no way excuses the government from violating the people's God-given rights.)
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseDitto. Exactly. Mother Church has reaped what she's sown.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseDitto. Exactly. Mother Church has reaped what she's sown.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseGlad I don't have to see Roger Mahony's name next to Archbishop of LA title. I doubt he would have spoke up against this.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseWell, this mandate is so bad that even Cardinal Mahony came out strongly against it. Obama knows exactly what he is doing. Catholics are only the first and the Catholic left had better wake up after making a pact with the devil.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseYes, per the actual words, they want to be a partner with govenrment in building a more just (ie. larger government) society. They'll cave in a heartbeat and then wonder why, after he is re-elected, Obama reverses course and sticks it to them again. As with Juan Williams, don't go too far out on a limb trusting these folks.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseThe Catholic Church got into bed with the devil. What did they think was going to happen? What did they expect?
I left the Cathoic Church behind when I became an adult. One of the biggest reasons was that their left-wing activism was anathema to my principles. Their chickens are now coming home to roost.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseBishop Gomez ignores the elephant in the room:
"The Church wants to be a partner with our neighbors and our government in building a more just and peaceful society"
The Church should never be a "partner" with the government because the Church will always be the junior partner whose interests are sacrificed to the interests and goals of the government.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseExactly. One connection the church should sever is its tax-exempt status. Then it would have a lot more legitimacy when complaining about "government intrusion."
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseSadly, Archbishop Gomez is not fully accurate when he says that "many individual Catholics — of every political opinion — have united in opposition."
Surely "many" have in absolute terms, but "most" have not. Unfortunately, polls show that not only do a majority of Catholics support the mandate, but that a higher percentage of Catholics support the mandate than does the population at large.
The reality is that most Catholics in this country are far to the left. I'm probably going to have this comment taken down for saying that, as has every other comment I've made questioning the ardent pro-Catholic bias of Ms. Lopez's writers. But it's a reality.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseAnd other polls suggest they don't. My guess is a small majority don't.
If you say protection for the unborn is your thing, step up to the bar right now Bishop. Time to earn your mitre.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseUnfortunately, this statement was not read at this past Sunday's Mass' in Los Angeles, nor does it appear on the Web pages of the Archdiocese of L.A.
What is going on with Archbishop Gomez?
Is he in league with his statement or is he being played by bureaucrat holdovers from the previous liberal and soiled Mahoney regime who are controling information in the Diocese to fit their political proclivites and double bad faith plays.
Los Angeles' Catholic Diocese needs moral and doctrinal rehabilitation if the Church is to have any standing on any rock built over generations.
What is going on at Our Lady of The Angeles?
Reply to this commentLinkReport Abuse