Bishop David Zubik of the Diocese of Pittsburgh wrote, “It is really hard to believe that it happened. It comes like a slap in the face. The Obama administration has just told the Catholics of the United States, “To Hell with you!” There is no other way to put it.” Read the rest here.

Send a message to congress and President Obama asking them to respect religious liberty by clicking here.

Bishop Joseph McFadden of the Diocese of Harrisburg said, “Never before has the federal government forced individuals and organizations to go out into the marketplace and buy a product that violates their conscience. This shouldn’t happen in a land where free exercise of religion ranks first in the Bill of Rights.” Read the entire statement here.

Bishop Joseph Bambera of the Diocese of Scranton wrote, “Simply put, as Catholics, we cannot 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 she can count on this generation of Catholics to do the same. Our children and grandchildren deserve nothing less.” Read the entire letter here.

Sister Mary Ann Walsh of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) asks about a Catholic bias, “The government allows other religions to live out their beliefs. The Amish and Christian Scientists have a conscientious objection to health insurance, and so the law exempts them from buying it. The government acknowledges the right of these religious groups to live out their religious convictions in U.S. society. Why are beliefs of Catholics and others dismissed?” Read the rest here.

Here is a video message from New York’s Archbishop Timothy Dolan, the president of the USCCB:

Voice your disappointment with the HHS ruling and ask your legislators to support the Respect for Rights of Conscience Act (HR1179/S 1467).

Many of you sent emails last fall asking the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to respect conscience rights and religious liberty. Unfortunately, Friday’s ruling means that this mandate and the very narrow exemption will not change at all; instead there will only be a delay in enforcement against some employers.

This ruling will force Catholics to decide between violating their consciences and providing the basic right of health care.  At issue is the constitutionally protected freedom that ensures respect for the conscience of Catholics and all other Americans. In this ruling, you and I were told that we can call ourselves Catholic, we just can’t act like we are.

So what is next? If the Administration will not rescind this violation of the First Amendment, Congress must do so.  Voice your disappointment with the HHS ruling and ask your legislators to support the Respect for Rights of Conscience Act (HR1179/S 1467).

PS- Another pro-life bill, The Women’s Right to Know Act, is in front of the Pennsylvania House. Please send a message in support of that pro-life legislation as well!

SEND A MESSAGE TO CONGRESS IN SUPPORT OF RELIGIOUS LIBERTY HERE.

The Catholic bishops of the United States called “literally unconscionable” a decision by the Obama Administration to continue to demand that sterilization, abortifacients and contraception be included in virtually all health plans. Today’s announcement means that this mandate and its very narrow exemption will not change at all; instead there will only be a delay in enforcement against some employers.

“In effect, the president is saying we have a year to figure out how to violate our consciences,” said Cardinal-designate Timothy M. Dolan, archbishop of New York and president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

The cardinal-designate continued, “It is as much an attack on access to health care as on religious freedom. Historically this represents a challenge and a compromise of our religious liberty.”

The HHS rule requires that sterilization and contraception – including controversial abortifacients – be included among “preventive services” coverage in almost every healthcare plan available to Americans. “The government should not force Americans to act as if pregnancy is a disease to be prevented at all costs,” added Cardinal-designate Dolan.

Read this and other reactions to the HHS ruling here.

SEND A MESSAGE TO CONGRESS IN SUPPORT OF RELIGIOUS LIBERTY HERE.

If you’d like to send a letter, you can use this sample letter to Congress regarding the HHS ruling.

Click here to sign the petition on whitehouse.gov.

The appointment was publicized in Washington, January 19, by Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò, apostolic nuncio to the United States.

William Skurla was born June 1, 1956, in Duluth, Minnesota, where he attended Catholic and public elementary schools. He attended Columbia University in New York, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in 1981. He later attended Mary Immaculate Seminary, Northampton, Pennsylvania, where he earned a master of divinity degree in 1986, and a master of theology degree in 1987.

He was professed as a member of the Franciscans in Sybertsville, Pennsylvania, in 1985, and ordained a priest in 1987. In 1996, he was incardinated into the Eparchy of Van Nuys, California, and named bishop of Van Nuys in 2002. In 2007, he was named bishop of the Byzantine Catholic Eparchy of Passaic, New Jersey.

The Archeparchy of Pittsburgh includes 58,492 persons, and embraces all Byzantine Ruthenian Rite Catholics in Western Pennsylvania, several counties in Ohio, and the states of Alabama, Arkansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas and West Virginia.

The Archeparchy of Pittsburgh is one of the two Byzantine Catholic and eight Roman Catholic Dioceses that comprise the Pennsylvania Catholic Conference. Archbishop-elect Skurla will sit on the PCC Board of Governors.

Welcome and Congratulations from the PCC to Archbishop-elect Skurla!

The PCC supports the following legislation:

EDUCATION DEPARTMENT

Senate Bill 1/ House Bill 1678/ House Bill 1708/ Others – School Choice

Senate Bill 1 or what could be another legislative vehicle is a top priority for the PCC. The proposal will increase the Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) program and create Opportunity Scholarships, or vouchers, for the poorest students in the worst performing schools. PCC has been waging a full scale grassroots advocacy campaign to generate support for school choice.

School choice advocates were disappointed that a reform package that includes school vouchers and an increase to the Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) scholarship program was not passed before the legislature adjourned for the Christmas break. It is not too late to send a message to your state legislators urging them to pass school choice in 2012. Use the Catholic Advocacy Network to send one today.

House Bill 1378/ Senate Bill 1154 – Special Education Services

These bills would enhance the level of support to special education students in nonpublic schools.

Senate Bill 1134 – Regulation of Religious Child Care Programs

This bill would place the regulation of religious child care and early childhood development facilities in the Department of Education rather than the Department of Public Welfare. It would also remove the asserted authority of the state to demand that religious teaching ministries obtain a state license before they are allowed to exist, while still maintaining all mandates relating to health and safety.

SOCIAL CONCERNS DEPARTMENT

House Bill 1254 – Prohibited use of Public Assistance Funds

This bill would ban the use of an electronic benefits transfer (EBT) card to purchase tobacco products, firearms or ammunition, and bans the use of EBT cards at casinos.

Senate Bill 732 – Abortion Clinic Regulations Bill SIGNED INTO LAW

The new law addresses concerns that stemmed from the tragic deaths of one woman and seven infants that occurred in the Philadelphia abortion clinic of Dr. Kermit Gosnell where a woman died and seven newborn babies were killed by infanticide. Conditions in the clinic were so filthy and unsafe that investigators called it a “house of horrors.” The measure holds abortion facilities to the same fire and safety standards, personnel and equipment requirements, and quality assurance procedures as other freestanding ambulatory surgical facilities.

PENNSYLVANIA CATHOLIC HEALTH ASSOCIATION

House Bill 1583 – Protective equipment for motorcycle riders

This legislation would repeal the “no helmet” law that was passed in 2006. It would require drivers and passengers of motorcycles to wear protective headgear.

Senate Bill 1099 – Minimum Wage Law

This bill concerns overtime compensation for employees in health care facilities like hospitals and long-term care facilities. If an employee works more than eight hours in any one workday and in excess of 80 hours in 14 days, the employee would be compensated at no less that 1 1/2 times the regular rate.

The Pennsylvania Catholic Conference advocates many different issues – Catholic education, religious liberty, life & dignity of the human person, marriage & family, social justice, health care, and faith & politics. To receive action alerts on active issues, join the Pennsylvania Catholic Advocacy Network at www.pacatholic.org/advocacy

Today in Pennsylvania there are 1,200 parishes serving more than 3.3 million Catholics. Pennsylvania Catholics make up 26% of the state’s population. The Church in Pennsylvania provides 52,000 jobs.

But the real legacy of the Church is in how Catholics live out the Gospel in their own communities.

Charitable Outreach

In 1797, the first formal Catholic charitable institution in Pennsylvania was an orphanage and trade school in Philadelphia. More than 200 years later, the Catholic Church continues to minister to people in need.

Catholic Charities agencies are still serving children, although today foster care and adoption services are the norm. Catholic Charities also helps families and individuals with behavioral health, family counseling, and addiction programs. The agencies help refugees and immigrants settle here in the United States.

Catholic Charities agencies provide direct aid to the poor with food pantries and soup kitchens, housing and utilities assistance, and help with clothing and other basic needs.

In 2010, more than 360,000 individuals received services from a Catholic Charities agency in Pennsylvania, and many of them benefit from more than one service.

Education

Catholic schools are another rich part of Pennsylvania’s history. The first parochial school in the United States, St. Mary’s, opened in Philadelphia in 1782. The school is still helping students reach their potential.

Today, Pennsylvania’s approximately 540 Catholic schools are teaching more than 150,000 students. Catholic schools provide jobs for over 10,000 teachers and other professional staff. Most Catholic high schools rightly boast graduation rates at or near 100% for non-transferring students, as well as SAT scores above the state and national averages. Of those graduates, over 90% go on to attend either a two- or four-year institute of higher learning.

Catholic parochial and diocesan schools educate students by establishing high goals and standards as well as strong motivation and effective discipline, all within a nurturing atmosphere. Catholic schools aim to develop each student as a “whole person” – academically, of course, but also spiritually, physically and emotionally.

In two centuries, Pennsylvania’s Catholic schools have educated countless leaders, entrepreneurs, inventors, and even a saint or two.

Both Catholic and non-Catholic students attend parochial and diocesan schools, but the thousands of Catholic students who attend Pennsylvania public schools are also well-formed in our rich faith. They learn and grow in their Catholic identity through parish ministries. In all, approximately 440,000 students receive Catholic instruction every year.

Health Care

Catholic hospitals are another fixture on the Pennsylvania landscape. Generations of Catholics, often women and men in religious orders, came to the Pennsylvania with a mission to care for the sick, the aged and the dying.

In 2010, Catholic health care served more than 3.3 million people in Pennsylvania.

There are Catholic hospitals, long-term care facilities, multi-facility health systems, special providers or other related entities in every community. The Catholic health care system provides healing and comfort through many programs and facilities, ranging from large, state-of-the-art hospitals and emergency rooms to small neighborhood personal-care homes and mobile clinics.

Catholic providers are an integral part of our health care system. They operate with a fundamental commitment to the sanctity and dignity of human life and demonstrate a special concern for the poor and most vulnerable members of society. Often Catholic facilities are the provider of last resort for those who are very poor and very sick.

Forward in Faith

As we consider this strong and vibrant Catholic presence in Pennsylvania, it is easy to feel proud, but we should not feel content. As those of you familiar with the work of the PCC know, threats to religious liberty, the dignity of the human person and other issues of importance to Catholics have become frequent. We also have opportunities to make advancements that would benefit Catholic health care and education, would strengthen our service to the poor and would better enable us to live out our Gospel values. Complacency would not have been tolerated by those who laid this solid foundation over the past 200-plus years, and it should not be tolerated today. And so, as we look to the public policy issues that will face us in 2012, let us be inspired by knowing that our family of faith extends across our entire state and reaches our brothers and sisters in every walk of life.

This article appeared in the Fall 2011 issue of the Viewpoint

The staff of the PCC wishes you and your family a very Merry Christmas. May the joy and peace that the Christ child brings be with you throughout 2012!

We’d like to share with you the following column from Sr. Mary Ann Walsh, Director of Media Relations for the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops:

The Christmas Welcome Mat

The welcome mat is out at Catholic churches across the country. Actually it’s always out, but churches tend to emphasize their open arms and doors during Advent and Christmas and later on in Lent and at Easter.

Why now?

There’s something in the season that makes you think of home – including the spiritual home some are too busy to visit throughout the year. The message of the Prince of Peace, the carols learned in childhood, the large-as-life crèches, and the overflowing poinsettias have a way of warming even a cold heart.

The options are many.

Read the rest here.

Now that the September 30 deadline has passed, many of you are asking, “What happens next?” There are a few possibilities. The first, based on the feedback they have received, HHS could make a rule change to correct this obvious religious liberty violation.  The second possible option would be to correct the mandate through federal legislation. Since Congress failed to include conscience language in PPACA, many individuals and groups, including the Pennsylvania Catholic Conference (PCC) and Pennsylvania Catholic Health Association (PCHA), have urged Congress to adopt a Respect for Rights of Conscience Act.  It would prevent PPACA from creating new coverage mandates that violate insurers’ and purchasers’ moral and religious beliefs. The Respect for Rights of Conscience Act was introduced in the House of Representatives (H.R. 1179), and a companion bill was introduced in the U.S. Senate (S. 1467). This measure will ensure that those who participate in the health care system “retain the right to provide, purchase, or enroll in health insurance coverage that is consistent with their religious beliefs and moral convictions.” Contact members of Congress in support of Respect for Rights of Conscience. The third possible course of action is litigation. As you may know from news reports, PPACA is being challenged in courts right now.  Further, it is possible that the preventative services mandate and the narrow religious employer exemption will be challenged in court

This mandate is an egregious violation of religious liberty, the long-held freedom of religious people and organizations to live according to their beliefs.  Simply put, Catholic institutions and employers would be forced to pay for drugs that cause abortions, as well as sterilization and contraception, even though Catholic teaching upholds the sanctity of life beginning at conception.

Some of you have also asked, “Isn’t there a religious exemption?” The current HHS rule allows an exemption for a “religious employer,” which the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) says is defined so narrowly “as to exclude most Catholic social services agencies and healthcare providers and Catholic colleges and universities.” Is this a threat to be taken seriously? The USCCB has formed new ad hoc committee on religious liberties, so obviously they don’t think this is going away. As you can see, this is a larger issue than solely that of abortion-causing drugs and contraception.  At issue is the ability for a Catholic organization to be true to its identity.  If this rule stands, Catholic organizations will not be able to, well, be Catholic.

Now that the time for public comment to HHS has passed, all concerned citizens should visit, call, fax or e-mail their members of Congress urging them to co-sponsor and support H.R. 1179 and S. 1467.

Joelle Shea is the Director of Outreach for the Pennsylvania Catholic Conference – the public affairs arm of Pennsylvania’s Catholic bishops and the Catholic dioceses of Pennsylvania.

In his letter, “Patient protection act poses serious threat to our autonomy,” he writes,

Throughout the existence of our nation, the right of every person to act according to his or her conscience has been written into federal and state laws and upheld by the courts. Our founders recognized that authentic freedom can only be achieved when the individual is able to actively pursue the truth and act in accord with the truth he or she has discovered.

Thomas Jefferson wrote, “[N]o provision in our Constitution ought to be dearer to man than that which protects the rights of conscience against the enterprises of the civil authority.”

The right of conscience is closely linked to autonomy. As humans, we have the capacity to make informed, uncoerced decisions about the actions we take. Autonomy is a fundamental and essential ethical principle in all our decision-making.

Until the passage of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), the government has never attempted to violate these sacred and essential functions of the human intellect. Among the features of PPACA is a mandate for coverage of contraception and sterilization in almost all health plans in the United States regardless if that coverage violates the consciences of individual Americans, agencies, or business enterprises.

At first glance, mandated coverage of contraception and sterilization would seem to be of concern only to those among us who believe these practices are immoral. However, this mandate exposes a more sinister threat that has ramifications for all of us.

This mandate is a violation of the fundamental rights of conscience and autonomy. Thus, it puts a barrier to human freedom and in doing so, it denigrates human dignity.

Read the entire letter here.

Send a message to Congress encouraging the passage of the Rights of Conscience Act by clicking here.

The Catholic Bishops of Pennsylvania yesterday reaffirmed their strong opposition to the mandate issued by the federal Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) which would violate religious freedom and force private insurance plans to cover contraception—including abortifacients—and sterilization. The very narrow definition of “religious employer” would not apply to health insurance plans for Catholic hospitals, colleges or universities, social service agencies, and religious orders that employ lay persons and other Church ministries.

The Bishops endorsed the comments already submitted by the Pennsylvania Catholic Conference (PCC) and the Pennsylvania Catholic Health Association (PCHA) and urged others concerned about religious liberty to also voice their objections to HHS and Congress.

“Within the dioceses are over 3. 2 million Catholics; over 1,000 parishes; nearly 500 Catholic schools; 27 Catholic colleges; nearly 100 Catholic social service agencies; 14 Catholic hospitals; 34 long-term care facilities, numerous health care systems and other related health care entities; and over 6,000 women and men religious. The interim rule is one of significant impact upon the Church in Pennsylvania and that impact will not go unnoticed within the vast Catholic community,” states PCC’s comments to HHS.

“The religious ‘exemption’ in the mandate fails miserably to assure that religious conscience is protected. The religious exemption is so narrowly crafted that hospitals, universities, religious affiliated social service agencies, Catholic dioceses, parishes and even Catholic elementary schools would be subject to the contraceptive/sterilization mandate. Ignoring the broad nature of the Church’s religious ministries and the care, services and education provided to a diverse group by mandating coverage is an unwarranted attack on religion in general.”

The PCHA also expressed its “grave concern” at the government’s attempt to define what is and what is not religious, calling it “fraught with danger.”

“(The proposed HHS mandate) ignores this nation’s foundations which were built upon freedom of conscience and freedom of religion. The (narrowly defined) religious exemption directly violates the Religion Clauses of the First Amendment to the United States Constitution.”

The Bishops encouraged concerned citizens to take action by using the Pennsylvania Catholic Advocacy Network at www.pacatholic.org to submit comments to HHS by the September 30, 2011, deadline and urge Members of Congress to support legislation to stop this infringement of religious liberty.

The Bishops were meeting in Harrisburg for the annual Board of Governors meeting of the Pennsylvania Catholic Conference. They also affirmed their support of school choice and other legislative issues.

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Send a message to your legislator by clicking here.