It looks like the Administration’s requirement that Catholic organizations provide abortion, sterilization and contraception coverage for its employees and hospitals provide those services as part of their operations is meeting with strong opposition throughout the country:
From the Palm Coast this report from my friend “JIB”
Our pastor read a letter from the Bishop of St. Augustine (our diocese) saying that the Church will not obey the law and regulation set down by Sibelius in regard to offereing contraceptives, abortions and sterilization as part of Catholic Church employee health plans and hospital operations.
From “CathyF”
Here is the letter from our bishop (Jenky, Peoria). I’m not sure if any non-Catholics will appreciate the addition of the Prayer to St. Michael the Archangel being inserted into all Masses in the diocese — the Church is going to war. Here is the prayer:
St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle. Be our defense against the wickedness and snares of the Devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray, and do thou, O Prince of the heavenly hosts, by the power of God, thrust into hell Satan, and all the evil spirits, who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.
UPDATE:Archishop Vlazny ,Portland Oregon:
Letter January 25, 2012 from Archbishop John G. Vlazny on the matter of freedom of conscience and decisions by HHS
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ:
It is important for you to know that the federal government has just dealt a heavy blow to the Catholic population and to the millions more who are served by the Catholic faithful.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced last week that almost all employers, including Catholic employers, will be forced to offer their employees’ health coverage that includes sterilization, abortion-inducing drugs, and contraception. Almost all health insurers will be forced to include those “services” in the health policies they write. And almost all individuals will be forced to buy that coverage as a part of their policies.
By this ruling, the Administration has cast aside the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States, denying to Catholics our Nation’s first and most fundamental freedom, that of religious liberty. Unless the rule is overturned, we Catholics will be compelled to violate our consciences or drop health coverage for our employees (and suffer the penalties for doing so). The Administration’s sole concession was to give our institutions one year to comply.
We cannot and will not 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.
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.
And therefore, I would ask of you two things. First, as a community of faith we must commit ourselves to prayer and fasting that wisdom and justice may prevail, and religious liberty may be restored. Without God, we can do nothing; with God, nothing is impossible. Second, I recommend visiting www.usccb.org/conscience, to learn more about this severe assault on religious liberty, and how to contact Congress in support of legislation that would reverse the Administration’s decision.
Thank you for all you do to build the Church and society.
Sincerely yours in Christ,
Most Reverend John G. Vlazny
Archbishop of Portland in Oregon
FURTHER UPDATE:
From Mary D in NH
(MANCHESTER, NH) Most Reverend Peter A. Libasci, Bishop of Manchester, and other leaders of Catholic institutions in New Hampshire are denouncing the recent announcement that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (“HHS”) intends to implement a rule that mandates that coverage for sterilization, abortion-inducing drugs, and contraception be included in virtually all health plans, regardless of whether the employer or the insured individual has a moral objection to such drugs and procedures. Bishop Libasci said the edict represents an untenable attack on religious liberty and a radical incursion into freedom of conscience.
“The HHS rule creates an alarming and serious concern that negatively impacts the Catholic Church in the United States directly, and that strikes at the fundamental right to religious liberty for all citizens of any faith,” said Bishop Libasci. “The federal government, which claims to be ‘of, by, and for the people,’ has just dealt a heavy blow to almost a quarter of those people—the Catholic population—and to the millions more who are served by the Catholic faithful.”
But, but, but – (sob) what about (sniffle) the separation of church and state? Or was it state and church? Someone tell the big “O” he ain’t going to heaven if he keeps this up.
To Baracky, government is his religion, and he’s either the deity or at the very least, the highest of high priests.
“The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom, but a perverse tongue will be cut out.” – King Solomon, Proverbs 10:31
Be glad you’re living in the age of God’s grace, my friend, when he urges everyone to repent. But someday at the last judgment you’ll stand before God, by whose inspiration Solomon wrote that. You’ll have to give account for every word. Every word.
I notice that the so-called concept of “Separation of Church and State” seems to get a little fuzzy when Democrat operatives such as Valerie Jarrett and others preach the liberal gospel from the pulpit of Black churches during an election year.
Surely Captain Zero and his acolytes knew when they put that in Obamacare that they would be going to war with the Catholic church, a war they are going to lose.
Fortunately I have never had to decide one way or the other about abortion in anyway that affects me personally. Consequently, I have no right to tell anyone else how they should decide. I understand the arguments on both sides. I see the validity and weaknesses on both sides. This is not an issue that should be forced one way or the other by the Federal Government, but should play out (probably forever) in debate.
Even though I tend to lean pro-choice, it is unconscionable to me to have the pro-lifers forced to participate in what they so fervently believe to be immoral. In spite of my leanings ( and distaste for the catholic church ) , I will support them in any way I can against this obamanation.
The arrogance and gall of these bastards takes my breath away.
Excellent points, right down the line.
Tell me, what do you have against the Catholic Church? You say you have never been put into a position to be affected by abortion, but now the hour has come. You must pick a side, because there is no neutral ground.
I’m not a fan of prayers like that but if they stay in the church and out of gov’t, I respect them. In gov’t they seem like Muslims on the march.
Our gov’t should understand that it is also wrong to put their weird social engineering policies among religious people where they are not wanted as they are equally out of place. If you’re going to enforce secular points of view that are controversial onto religion what is the point of religion? Even in the mainstream this laying down of the law seems strange when it comes to something so personal. Our gov’t should stay out.
And how is this affecting Muslims in America? Are they being given marching orders? Probably not.
The prayer seems appropriate to me. Consider that what they are doing is attempting to force Catholics to commit what they believe to be murder, a mortal sin. This will bring the wrath of rome down on them, whatever that is worth.
They will lose this fight.
It would be interesting to have Jeannette’s input on this.
Wow, thanks. Just this: every Catholic worth his salt should fully expect to be completely inconvenienced for his faith and maybe even die. From Nero’s human torches to Jeanne(tte) d’Arc to Isaac Jogues to the Vietnamese and Korean martyrs of the 19th century to the Iraqi, Egyptian and other Middle East martyrs, and the Irish under the English tyranny. It’s part of our faith. Big people will protest and fight this, but us little people have “the blood of martyrs is the seed of Christianity” and this includes white martyrdom.
And like Flannery O’Connor’s protagonist in “Temple of the Holy Ghost”, I’m aware that I “could never be a saint, but maybe I could be a martyr if they were quick about it” so maybe it’s my best shot, ya know?
A couple of thoughts:
1) the large legal/illegal Hispanic voting block is…Catholic,
2) Newt Gingrich is…Catholic.
LaSuthenboy: “This will bring the wrath of rome down on them, whatever that is worth. They will lose this fight.”
I hope you’re right, man. I understand the Vatican will wrath, but not sure how the Vatican “beats” the U.S. Federal Government in this fight? Sure the Vatican has some power, but versus the Fed Gov?
FWIW, I’m a practicing Catholic and will be wrathing in concert with the Vatican. It’s time to choose sides.
I followed the link to the Bishop’s page but the letter is posted there as an image, I cannot copy/paste the text here.
Read it. It is strong.
The subversives have passed the line in the sand.
If someone is able to retrieve the text (as text) please let me know, I would like to post the letter.
OK I am working on it thanks to
http://www.onlineocr.net/default.aspx
I will post the text asap
Here is the text of the letter by the Bishop
DO NOT copy / paste it without proof-reading it, I didn’t check it for mistakes by the OCR
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Moor R. 345461. H.JENS,Cue
OAPICE OA TIM DEMIOD DIOCESE or PEORIA
OPMCE OP IDE Bmnor 4. N.E. MADISON AVENDE PEORIA, Luroom 6.03 PHONE: 009 671 1660 Fmr: 009 6711576
January 24, 2012
My dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
In the history of the United States, Friday, January 20, 2012 will certainly stand out as a moment of enormous peril for religious liberty. On that day the Obama administration announced regulations that would require Catholic institutions to offer insurance programs providing abortifacients, sterilization, and contraceptive services. If these regulations are put into effect, they could close down every Catholic school, hospital, and the other public ministries of our Church, which is perhaps their underlying intention. What is perfectly clear is that this is a bigoted and blatant attack on the First Amendment rights of every Catholic believer. Under no circumstances, however, will our Church ever abandon our unshakable commitment to the Gospel of Life.
I therefore call upon all the faithful of this Diocese to vigorously oppose this unprecedented governmental assault upon the moral convictions of our Faith. Under the Constitution, no president has the authority to require our cooperation with what we consider to be intrinsic evil and mortal sin. We must therefore oppose by evety means at our disposal this gross infringement upon the rights of Catholic citizens to freely practice our religion. This country once fought a revolution to guarantee freedom, but the time has clearly arrived to strongly reassert our fundamental human rights. I am honestly honified that the nation I have always loved has come to this hateful and radical step in religious intolerance. I hope and pray that all people of good will would support the faith based resistance of us their Catholic neighbors.
While it is primarily the laity who should take the leading role in political and legal action, as your Bishop, it is my clear responsibility to summon our local Church into spiritual and temporal combat in defense of Catholic Christianity. Have faith! Have courage! Fight boldly for what you believe! I strongly urge you not to be intimidated by extremist politicians or the malice of the cultural secularists arrayed against us. Always remember that the One who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world (1 John
4:4).
Until these grave issues are favorably resolved, I ask that every parish, school, hospital, Newman Center, and religious house in this Diocese insert the Prayer to Saint Michael
January 24, 2012 Page two
the Archangel into the Sunday General Intercessions just before their concluding prayer. It is God’s invincible Archangel who commands the heavenly hosts, and it is the enemies of God who will ultimately be defeated. This prayer should be announced as: a Prayer to Saint Michael the Archangel for the freedom of the Catholic Church in America.
May God guide and protect his Holy Church.
Sincerely yours in Christ,
a, Most Reverend Daniel R. Jenky, C.S.C. BISHOP OF PEORIA
So… does this mean that Catholics will stop voting for Democrats?
– “no”.
That’ll happen about the same time Jews stop voting for anti-Israel Dems like Baracky.
In other words, not until lions become vegetarians.
There are Catholics vote the party-line both ways. But there is a significant percentage whose votes swings between parties, for all kinds of reasons.
Still, since 1960 (I believe) every successful Presidential candidate has carried a majority of the Catholic vote– conservative, leftist, Republican, or Democrat.
It is not a monolithic voting block. And, because of that, I think Dear Leader may have pissed off Catholic voters who might otherwise have voted for him.
As an opponent of Dear Leader’s, I am heartened by his decision to throw water into the face of faithful Catholics. Once again, he has chosen agenda over America, and even more voters who might otherwise have voted for him will not.
I have no idea but I am hearing the response in churches around the country has been supportive of the fight against the Administration proposals.
From Georgia (It’s getting a bit harder to keep updating the body of the blog)
Bishop Gregory J. Hartmayer has written to South Georgia Catholics vowing to fight a U.S. Department of Health and Human Services ruling that virtually all private health care plans must cover sterilization, abortifacients, and contraception.
The Obama Administration, through its Department of Health and Human Services, enacted the policy on January 20. The Department made no exceptions to the rule, which means Catholic institutions would be forced to violate their religious beliefs and moral convictions.
Bishop Hartmayer has joined Atlanta Archbishop Wilton Gregory in encouraging the faithful to call on Senators Saxby Chambliss and Johnny Isakson and the state’s US representatives to “seek a just resolution” if the Obama administration “will not rescind this violation of our First Amendment rights.”
Here is Bishop Hartmayer’s letter, which he has suggested to be read at all Masses during the weekend of January 28-29:
My dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
I am writing to you on a matter of grave moral concern — freedom of religion and freedom of conscience. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced last week that almost all employers, including Catholic employers, will be forced to offer their employees health coverage that includes sterilization, abortion-inducing drugs, and contraception. Almost all health insurers will be forced to include those “services” in the health policies they write. And almost all individuals will be forced to buy that coverage as a part of their policies.
In so ruling, the Obama Administration has cast aside the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States, denying to Catholics our Nation’s first and most fundamental freedom, that of religious liberty. And as a result, unless the rule is overturned, we Catholics will be compelled either to violate our consciences, or to drop health coverage for our employees (and suffer the penalties for doing so). The Administration’s sole concession was to give our institutions one year to comply.
I stand in unity with Catholic bishops throughout the United States and other religious leaders vowing to fight this mandate.
Along with my brother bishops and other religious leaders, I insist that this is a direct attack on our religious freedom and our First Amendment rights. I will work with the bishops, other religious leaders and our fellow Americans to remove this unjust regulation.
If the Administration will not rescind this violation of our First Amendment rights, we must call on our elected leaders to do so. I ask you to pray that wisdom and justice may prevail, and work together to restore our religious liberty.
Please join me in continuing to follow the development of this important issue and contacting our elected representatives to seek a just resolution.
Through the Southern Cross, diocesan and Georgia Catholic Conference websites and other media, I will keep you up to date on the progress of this important issue.
Sincerely yours in Christ,
+ Gregory J. Hartmayer, OFM Conv.
Bishop of Savannah
– continue to follow this story. I didn’t think much of the election of JP II or the Gdansk shipyard strike when they happened, but sometimes things unfold from such events.
– These bishops with their imprecatory prayer are a year too late and an idea short. Didn’t work on the Clintons back in the Nineties…
Didn’t work … yet.
The German Shepherd has appointed a much better class of bishops than John Paul the Gullible did. See elsewhere in this post: there’s no way we would have gotten such a strong response from Bp McCormack (the “pedophile pimp”) when he was in Manchester, NH or Pilarczyk in Cincy.
Here is the letter that was read during the homily at our church in Hamilton, OH :
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
I write to you concerning an alarming and serious matter that negatively impacts the Church in the United States directly, and that strikes at the fundamental right to religious liberty for all citizens of any faith.
The federal government, which claims to be “of, by, and for the people,” has just dealt a heavy blow to almost a quarter of those people – the Catholic population and to the millions more who are served by the Catholic faithful.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced last week that almost all employers, including Catholic employers, will be forced to offer their employees’ health coverage that includes sterilization, abortion-inducing drugs, and contraception. Almost all health insurers will be forced to include those “services” in the health policies they write. And almost all individuals will be forced to buy that coverage as a part of their policies.
In so ruling, the Administration has cast aside the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States, denying to Catholics our Nation’s first and most fundamental freedom, that of religious liberty. And as a result, unless the rule is overturned, we Catholics will be compelled to violate our consciences, or to drop health coverage for our employees (and suffer the penalties for doing so). The Administration’s sole concession was to give our institutions one year to comply.
We cannot – we will not – 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 Arnerica’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.
And therefore, I would ask of you two things. First, as a community of faith we must commit ourselves to prayer and fasting that wisdom and justice may prevail, and religious liberty may be restored. Without God, we can do nothing; with God, nothing is impossible. Second, I would also recommend visiting http://www.usccb.org/conscience, to learn more about this severe assault on religious liberty, and how to Contact Congress in support of legislation that would reverse the Administration’s decision.
Sincerely yours in Christ,
Most Reverend Dennis M. Schnurr
Archbishop of Cincinnati
I note in passing that a good many “Regan Democrats” were Catholic working men and women. And union members…
You don’t piss of a substantial portion of one-quarter of the voters and get re-elected.
Ironic, considering the presence of Rev. Wright in Dumbo’s (the ears, you know) checkered past.
Sadly, the modern Catholic church’s leadership in America has become far too political. It looks the other way when self-described Catholics such as Kerry or Biden or Pelosi openly support things that the church opposes. Many churches also openly encourage breaking federal law with sanctuary policies for illegal immigrants.
The Catholic church leadership has willing made deals with progressives in the past when it benefited them, and now the progressives have turned on them. They should have seen this coming if they’ve ever read the bible.
Arlington, VA bishop Paul Loverde
“The decision by the Department of Health and Human Services is a direct attack against religious liberty. This ill-considered policy comprises a truly radical break with the liberties that have underpinned our nation since its founding. I have just returned from Rome, where I and my brother U.S. bishops discussed with Pope Benedict XVI and other Vatican officials the vital importance of religious liberty to human freedom and the proper functioning of a just society. While there, I was deeply troubled to learn of this terrible lapse in judgment by our civil leadership here at home.
“I am absolutely convinced that an unprecedented and very dangerous line has been crossed that goes to the heart of the freedom of religion, and that this action does intolerable violence to our First Amendment rights. Catholic hospitals, charitable organizations, colleges and other Church-affiliated entities, as well as individual Catholic employers who seek to follow their consciences in the provision of healthcare to their employees, will be required to cover sterilizations and artificial contraception, including abortifacients, in insurance plans, violating the clear teachings of the Church. The meager religious exemption grudgingly allowed by the Obama Administration is structured so narrowly that any Church institution that serves a considerable number of non-Catholics would not be protected, directly harming our various ministries throughout the community.
“I will speak out consistently in the weeks and months ahead on this gravely important struggle for the freedom to practice our faith as full citizens of this great nation. I urge the faithful of Northern Virginia and all citizens of good will to understand what is at stake in this unavoidable confrontation, which has been thrust upon us, and to be prepared to engage in a strong defense in the civil arena of the basic human right of religious liberty. I have been gratified to see the strong reaction so far against this outrageous decision in newspapers and among Americans of all faiths. For now, we should all be united in prayer that President Obama and Secretary Sebelius will reconsider the action they have taken.”
The Bishops have coordinated their message across America, apparently. Here is the letter from Bishop DiLorenzo of the Richmond Diocese. From the diocese website: “The letter will be published in the next issue of the Catholic Virginian and can be shared in parish bulletins or read from the pulpit by pastors freely.”
+
abo-omg,
Sandy
The Catholic Bishops have been playing politics all along as well. They refused a seat at the table when the healthcare law was being debated. At that time all that they asked for was an opt-out for abortions as a procedure, which they got. Unless I am mistaken this portion of the law will be upheld based on the signing statement upholding the Hyde language as well as the vote taken on the Stupak amendment. the issue of birth control, which does include vasectomy and tubal ligation (sterilization) procedures were not requested. The only part of this firestorm that could be morally and legally wrong is the use of abortifacents in the ‘morning after type pills’. It is inconceivable that every individual working in any Catholic institution is (1) him or herself a Roman Catholic, or(2) that even if the individual is a Roman Catholic that he or she has individual rights of the state (protected by the same constitution that the bishops are arguing that the church has been denied) that supersede that of a religious organization. The bishops and many Catholics may not like it but that fundamentally (except for the payment of abortifacents) is the legal issue at hand. conceivably the church and all it’s affiliated institutions can craft a policy which will be available in the exchange that is separate and excludes birth control, etc. In either case Obama did himself no favors in an election year in critical battleground stares where a healthy share of catholic voters reside. While I oppose abortion I must say that as a physician birth control is necessary while other conditions are being treated. A good example is treating chronic hepatitis C. The medications are known to cause severe birth defects. I as a catholic must council my patients to practice birth control. This example leads me to think that the bishops instructed by Rome have made an all out campaign in an election year to use this issue to swing the all important catholic vote. Surely Obama is too shrewd a politician given his keen awareness that a plurality of Catholics, the holy see, and the USCCB want him gone.
It’s curious, forcing sectarian medical care providers to violate their religious code of conduct against killing the unborn, apparently because the secular state values take priority in this matter. Well, since all unlawful homicide laws originated in a religious context and are essentially religious leftovers or religious residuals (traditions)–the ten commandments prohibiting murder for example–then perhaps all secular state laws forbidding murder should go because they are tainted with “religion.” Historically murders were left up to the involved families or nearest kinship groups to sort out the “justice” for the homicidal miscreants. Would probably save a lot money in prosecutions and prisons letting the families and tribes take care of business. Guess that would subtract from the states power base though.
(cross post from Bishop of Pittsburgh: Obama Says “to Hell With You”)
Isn’t the head of Health and Human Services, Kathleen Sebelius, nominally a Catholic? Nancy Pelosi too, IIRC. Seems to me that there should be sanctions imposed by the Catholic Church for their participation. For instance, Kathleen Sebelius, might be told to come in line with Catholic Doctrine or be excommunicated. Same for Pelosi.
+
omg~abo,
Sandy
Funny how the Roman Catholic Church is so rightly staunch in opposing abortion, yet they make a mockery of marriage with their annulments, and completely miss the biblical gospel with their “infusion” of grace and continued sacrifice by their “Jesus”. Time to get back to the basics of the biblical gospel.
No, time for you to get back to the basics of the Biblical Gospel. “Unless you eat My Flesh and drink My Blood,” says the Lord, “you have no life within you.” When Jesus said this, many of His own disciples left Him, because when they asked for clarification He repeated Himself. If you wish to interpret this as a metaphor, you must logically also interpret John 3 as a metaphor, and therefore deny that “if any man is in Christ, he is a new creation (this, after all, is what it means to be born again).” Do you confess your sins publicly, or do you pray for forgiveness when no one else is around? If the later, you are in violation of the command to “confess your sins to one another.”
Who is your bishop, or if you claim to be a bishop, who ordained you? If you have no bishop, why don’t you have a bishop, when the clear command of Scripture is that bishops are to be appointed over the faithful? No man can ordain himself; neither can the laity ordain by popular vote.
Concerning matrimony, a valid, sacramental marriage between two baptized Christians cannot be dissolved except by death. To offer or accept a bribe to declare null a valid, sacramental marriage is simony. A marriage is not valid if one of the putative spouses was already married, physically incapable of sexual intercourse, acting under duress or otherwise without consent, underage or incompetent to give consent, refuses to have children or has no intention of obeying the marriage vows at the time of making them. A marriage is not sacramental if at least one of the spouses was unbaptized when the marriage was contracted and remains unbaptized when it dissolves. It is permissible in certain circumstances for Christian spouses to separate, but as long as the first spouse lives, they are forbidden to take a new spouse. While a civil divorce is permissible for some grave reasons, repentance and reconciliation are always sought.
Manfred,
Your knowledge of actual Church teachings is woefully inaccurate. I’d suggest cutting back on the Jack Chick comics and try finding the Truth.
1) In the Sacrament of Marriage, the couple confer the Sacrament upon each other. For various reasons, it is later found that one or the other of the couple was unable or unwilling to do so, and the Tribunal recognizes that. For the other Sacraments (except Baptism), a priest or bishop conducts the ceremony and since they’re well-trained, they get the Sacrament right and you don’t see reversals. (There was a case in Australia a few years ago, but I won’t go there)
2) If you go to a daily Mass, you will hear almost the WHOLE Bible between the first readings and the Gospel.
3) I don’t know what you mean by “infusion” of grace; your catechist is quite possibly off his rocker.
4) There was only one Sacrifice-that of Christ on the Cross.
5) I suspect “Time to get back to the basics of the Gospel” has to do with the fact that you people don’t like Purgatory so you tossed out Maccabees so you could say there is no Purgatory because it isn’t in your Bible (wash, rinse, repeat). I’m not much impressed that you’re waving your maimed remnants of the Bible around while kicking the inconvenient parts under the sofa all the while yelling “Sola Scriptura”, especially since you stop at John 3:16 and don’t manage to get all the way to John 6:53: “Unless you eat My Flesh and drink My Blood, you shall not have life within you”. Or did you throw that out, too? I know, I know: “this teaching is hard; who can believe it?” But I have eight children; I cannot begin to describe for you the act of love that is: to sustain my unborn child with my own body and blood. But I know that God Loves me infinitely more than I can imagine, more than this, and it humbles me.
If the church feels strongly about this they should drop the health care and be done with it. To contend that there should be an exception for religious privilege is abrogating the supposed moral stance put forth by the church. The possibility of not participating in the health care plan that offends the church would be the only honest choice. Anything else is merely expedient.