2012 Statewide Letter to Catholics on HHS Mandate

Thursday, 16 February 2012 12:20

In light of the so-called “accommodation” announced by the Administration on Friday, February 10, in response to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services mandates and the response of the Catholic bishops, the Bishops of the Province of New Orleans have today issued the enclosed “Letter to Catholics Statewide.” Bishop Glen John Provost, Bishop of Lake Charles, has pointed out the need to emphasize once again the seriousness of this issue.  "It was and continues to be an issue of 'religious freedom' and whether or not the State has the right to encroach upon the consciences of believers," Bishop Provost said. "We believe it has no right to do so.  As a matter of fact, it has an obligation to protect conscience rights. "'The Letter to Catholics Statewide' requests our cooperation in “making our voices” heard with our Congressional representatives in support of a Respect for Rights of Conscience Act," the Bishop continued. "This measure ensures that the rights of conscience of Catholic institutions will be respected.  You can voice your opinion via the website of the Louisiana Conference of Catholic Bishops — www.laccb.org."   Letter from Louisiana's Bishops to Catholics on HHS Mandate.pdf (112.99 KB, 2012-02-16 11:22) **************** For the latest news on the Catholic response to the HHS mandate, please visit: http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/mandate/ Timothy Cardinal Dolan joins  more than 500 leading scholars, university presidents and other academic administrators, activists, and religious leaders from a multitude of faiths, in a statement rejecting the governmental Health and Human Services mandate requiring employers to provide, directly or indirectly, insurance coverage for abortion-inducing drugs, sterilizations, and contraceptives, and also rejecting President Obama's so-called "accommodation" of religious liberty as a mere "accounting trick" that changes nothing of moral substance. Click below. Unacceptable - February 27, 2012.pdf (250.27 KB, 2012-02-27 15:04)