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Religious Liberty & The HHS Mandate
bySarah Swaykus
Program DirectorRespect Life Apostolate
Almighty God, Father of all nations, For freedom you have set us free in Christ Jesus (Gal 5:1). We praise and bless you for the gift of religious liberty, the foundation of human rights, justice, and the common good. Grant to our leaders the wisdom to protect and promote our liberties; by your grace may we have the courage to defend them, for our-selves and for all those who live in this blessed land. We ask this through the intercession of Mary Immaculate, our patroness, and in the name of your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, with whom you live and reign, one God, forever and ever. Amen
So Much To Address….
The question “Where does one begin?” is easy to answer: ‘We must begin with a commitment never to intentionally kill, or collude in the killing, of any innocent human life, no matter how broken, unformed, disabled or desperate that life may seem.” --EV 21
Respect Life Apostolate
Education
Pastoral
Public Policy
Spiritual
Education Pastoral Care
Spirituality Public Policy
Promote deeper understanding of the sanctity of human life and the humanity of unborn children;
Includes emotional support, counseling, material and spiritual aid for those experiencing pregnancy related problems; for all who have been involved in abortion;
Directed to participation in the sacramental life of the Church;
Efforts directed to restoring legal protection to the lives of unborn children and those vulnerable to pressures to end their lives by assisted suicide, euthanasia;
the moral evil of intentionally killing innocent human beings—whether at the beginning of life or at its end;
for the disabled, sick, and dying, and their families and caregivers;
And in programs of communal and individual prayer,
And providing morally acceptable alternatives to abortion and assisted suicide.
And the mission of the Church to witness to and serve all human life.
for those who have lost loved ones to violent crime; and for those in prison sentenced to death.
that the culture of death that surrounds us today will be replaced by a culture of life and love.
As Educators Fostering awareness of the need to restore legal
protection to the lives of unborn children and to safeguard in law the lives all including of those who are chronically ill, disabled, or dying (Education).
Informing students of the political and social trends in society and, as citizens, how they can participate in the political process to take strides to challenge the hazardous trends. (Public Policy).
Sponsor school wide programs of prayer to encourage a great awareness of the teachings of the faith, to pray for mothers and their unborn children, those who are disabled or dying, prisoners on death row and those they have harmed (Spirituality).
Support comprehensive maternity support services, as well as post-abortion counseling and reconciliation programs (Pastoral Care).
Program Guidelines
A twofold educational effort one directed to Catholic communities, one directed to the general public is most efficacious.
Education programs should include:
› Biblical and theological confirmation of to the sanctity and dignity of human life.
› Scientific facts that support the full humanity of unborn children.
› American founding principles that affirm unchanging truths about the human person.
› Society’s Responsibility to never purposely to destroy innocent human life.
› Information on Catholic teaching regarding end ofl ife decision making.
› Information about effective, compassionate, and morally acceptable means to help women experiencing difficulties during and after pregnancy.
› Help for those who suffer from the consequences of abortion.
Teachers Shape the Future “In this mobilization for a new culture of life no
one must feel excluded: Everyone has an important role to play. Together with the family,
teachers and educators have a particularly valuable contribution to make.
Much will depend on them if young people, trained in true freedom, are to be able to preserve for themselves and make known to others new, authentic ideals for life, and if they are to grow in respect for and service to every other person, in the family and in society.”
~Evangelium Vitae n. 98.
Resources
Archdiocese of St. Louis:Campaign for Religious Libertyhttp://archstl.org/liberty
USCCB - text "Freedom" to 377377 for brief messages about religious freedom!
It’s not about…
Universal Health Care – the Church supports this; just not this instantiation of it due to specific moral objections
Church’s teaching on contraception, sterilization (though it provides an ideal teachable moment for these and theology of the body.)
CORE OF THE ISSUE
Requires a violation of conscience.
› People have to buy, pay into, or provide something that goes against their consciences.
The exception is too narrow.
Not a fight the Church wants or started, but not one we can run away from.
Requires all insurance companies (and indirectly, employers) to provide FREE contraception, Ella/Plan B, and sterilization to employees (by August 2012 or 2013).
What we’ll talk about today
Overview of the Mandate itself How can or should I discuss this with
my students? How do I accurately present the
Church’s teaching and position? What are some resources available
to me? What teachable moments does the
HHS Mandate provide?
How &When did this Happen?
March 23, 2010, the Affordable Care Act (ACA) became law.
August 2011› Part of that law: contraception and
sterilization Must be provided Part of “Preventive Care”
› Policy created by HHS, not by law
What if We Object? Do We Have Any Say?
“Religious Exemption”› Way too narrow› “Even Jesus and the Apostles would not be
religious enough.” “Comment Period”
› 30 Days› No Real Power
Church Response
Bulletin Insert Letter Campaign Letters from Major Universities Fortnight for Freedom/Campaign for
Religious Liberty Several lawsuits (including our
Archdiocese) Many non-Catholics also objected or
supported the Catholic Objection
January 20 Presidential Announcement
Contraception, Sterilization, and Ella/Plan B will be covered
FREE OF CHARGE – No Co-pay, no out-of-pocket, nothing
Will be implemented by August 2012 Religious Communities will be given an
extra year – August 2013
Church Response
Public Response
…the “98%”...
.
Why now? Why This Issue?
Not a fight the Church wanted, but not one we can run from
Unprecedented infringement in our country upon religious liberty
Where does it go from here? Possible Watershed
Civil Response
U.S. Senator Blunt – from Missouri!› Respect for Rights of Conscience Act
(Support)› Same act in the U.S. House of
Representatives MO Senator John Lamping: similar
Legislation at state level› SB 749 – passed; vetoed – Sept. 12 Veto
Override
Declaration of the Current Mandate
President Obama Responded on Feb. 10
Let’s hear from President Obama…
WHAT JUST HAPPENED?
SHIFT OF OWNERSHIP/RESPONSIBILITY:
› Now INSURANCE COMPANIES are responsible to make clear to all employees their “Rights”
› Questions: Will THEY will be fined? What if THEY don’t agree? Who pays for insurance? Who is required to offer insurance? What about the “average Joe” who doesn’t
agree?
So much to address, so little time
President Obama said….› Religious organizations will not pay for
these services› …will not provide these services
HUMAN RIGHTS & VALUES AT STAKE
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY FREEDOM OF CONSCIENCE HEALTH CARE WOMEN’S RIGHTS WHEN DOES ONE RIGHT/LIBERTY
TRUMP ANOTHER? WHAT ARE THE LIMITS ON RELIGIOUS
LIBERTY?
EQUALLY IMPORTANT ISSUES
Contraception is being declared a RIGHT – a preventive service. (see link)
Pregnancy is being lumped into Diseases – being addressed by a Preventive Care Clause.
Population Control is being touted as “Cost-effective” – people are being encouraged to NOT reproduce.
Our ability to freely live our beliefs with out interference is being compromised.
American Issues
Declaration of IndependenceWe hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.
Amendment I of the United States ConstitutionCongress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. (archives.gov)
WHAT YOU CAN DO
PRAY, FAST KEEP INFORMED TAKE ACTION
› Write letters› Talk to Friends› Op. Ed.s› Teach Your Students
Teaching Opportunities
High school: › Theology of the Body› Church’s Teaching on Contraception,
Sterilization› Related teachings: sanctity of marriage,
family› What is religious liberty?› How can or should I exercise or express my
religious beliefs in the public sphere?
Teaching Opportunities
Middle School and Elementary:› Liberties as Americans
How awesome that we live in a country where all people can freely practice their beliefs
What are the limits of religious liberty› Chastity and Marriage (Right START)› Cross-Curricular: How a Bill Becomes a Law:
Trace MO SB 749 from its creation to passing, veto, and now veto override session
› Study Saints tied to Religious Liberty: Thomas More and John Fisher, Thomas Becket, North
American Martyrs,Teresa Benedicta of the Cross (Edith Stein), Miguel Pro, Charles Llwanga, Paul Miki & Companions, Catherine of Alexandria
Teaching Resources
Contraception: Why Not – Janet Smith › dvd, power point, mp3, text
Theology of the Body› Incorporate into your curriculum› See textbooks
• Right START Program for 8th Grade Students Saints Pro-life Profile, E-News
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Speakers
10 More Archdiocesan Presentations Arrange a Speaker for your school Attend MMC Annual Assembly
› Jefferson City (see handout) Attend Respect Life Convention
› Sunday, Oct. 28, 2012› St. Charles Convention Center
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