Cardinal George urges Senate to follow example of House on abortion

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Comments: 6

Cardinal Francis George

Washington D.C., Nov 10, 2009 / 02:42 pm (CNA).- Cardinal Francis George is praising the U.S. House of Representative's decision on Nov. 7 to prevent federally funded abortions and is urging the Senate to follow its example.

“The representatives honored President Obama's commitment to the Congress and the nation that health care reform would not become a vehicle for expanding abortion funding or mandates,” the Archbishop of Chicago noted in a Monday evening statement.

As the debate on health care reform shifts to the Senate chambers, Cardinal George, who is the president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), said that it is important for the Senate to follow the House's example on preventing federal funding of abortion and protecting the rights of the most vulnerable.

“We remain deeply concerned about other aspects of health care reform as the debate now moves to the Senate, especially as it affects the poor and vulnerable, and those at the beginning and end of life,” he said.

Among other issues of concern to the bishops are: making health care more affordable for low-income or uninsured people and the treatment of both legal and illegal immigrants in an overhauled health care system. In a letter for Respect Life Sunday which was published on October 2, Cardinal Justin Rigali explained that the bishops are concerned that illegal immigrants could be prevented from purchasing health insurance, and that poor legal immigrants would have to wait five years to be eligible for care.

Cardinal George said yesterday that “we remain deeply concerned that immigrants be treated fairly and not lose the health care coverage that they now have. We will continue to raise our voices in public and in prayer; we ask our people to join us in making the moral case for genuine health care reform that protects the life, dignity, consciences and health of all.”

The USCCB, he added, will remain “vigilant” and “involved” throughout the entire process to “ensure that these essential provisions are maintained and included in the final legislation.”

Comments: 6

Subscriber comments:

Published by: Stephen
USA 11/11/2009 03:04 PM EST

Let us hope and pray that the Senate follows in the footsteps of the House of Representatives as Cardinal George is asking, because the protection of the unborn is the number one issue facing not only the United States of America but the entire world today. In the words of Jesus Christ, "What you did to the least of my children you did unto me." The unborn are the most vulnerable and least of God's children. The Senate should take their cue from the House of Representatives and do the most for the least of God's children. Our Lady of Guadelupe pray for the unborn and that the House of Representatives does the most for the least of God's children.

Published by: AntonioSosa
Coral Gables/FL/USA 11/11/2009 12:03 PM EST

Cardinal George should realize that Obama and his accomplices LIE. They will lie and say we will not be forced to pay for abortion. Lies do not change Obama's pro-abortion and pro-infanticide (late-term abortion) stand, nor the aberrant stands (based on eugenics) of Obama's Health Care Czar Ezekiel Emanuel and Science Czar John Holdren. Obama's Health Care Czar Ezekiel Emanuel, rightfully called "Doctor Death," would make Dr. Kervorkian proud. Dr. Emanuel has said that "Medical care should not be given to those who are irreversibly prevented from being or becoming participating citizens." As per Dr. Emanuel, your mother suffering from Alzheimer’s or your child diagnosed with Down’s Syndrome SHOULD NOT receive medical care.

Published by: Carlos
Fresno, CA 11/10/2009 09:14 PM EST

Cardinal George-whatever happened to the right to private property and to the dignity of the individual, the right to work, the concept of subsidiarity. If the church really cares about health care then let us (the church) start providing it to all that need it! At least then we'll know that we're doing it for the good of the individual not in order to have control of the person (or his/her vote). The USCCB is selling out the family for the illusory idea that abortion won't be government funded. Don't we know that part will be stripped out of the final bill and all we wiil be left with is the huge cost to our liberty and to our families? If I didn't know better I would think the USCCB is abrogating it's responsibilty to the people in favor of government. When was the last time the government did anything to help the teachings of the Catholic church? The members of the USCCB need to start acting like shepherds not like executives or politicians. Please don't lead us to the slaughter.

Published by: AntonioSosa
Coral Gables/FL/USA 11/10/2009 08:38 PM EST

Cardinal George should know that, instead of Tort reform and other measures to reduce costs, Obamacare will force us to pay more taxes and more for insurance, as well as fines and jail if we don't buy insurance! The bill describes the penalties in store for us: * Section 7203 - misdemeanor willful failure to pay is punishable by a fine of up to $25,000 and/or imprisonment of up to one year. * Section 7201 - felony willful evasion is punishable by a fine of up to $250,000 and/or imprisonment of up to five years." [page 3] That anyone should face prison for not buying health insurance is simply incredible. And how much will the stay-out-of-jail insurance cost? The Joint Committee noted that "according to a recent analysis by the Congressional Budget Office, the lowest-cost family non-group plan under HR 3862 (the Pelosi bill) would cost $15,000 by 2016." Obama's bill only provides subsidies to help pay this enormous sum after families making about $45,000 have paid 8% of their income for insurance and after those earning a household income of about $65,000 have kicked in 12%. We hope the Bishops take a look at the whole bill and don't let Obama and his accomplices manipulate them like they did to get the House to pass the criminal and anti-Christian Obamacare scam.

Published by: pete
mars, pa, usa 11/10/2009 06:31 PM EST

So the President and the Speaker keep their word, what happened to all the pro life republicans ? Not ONE voted for the house version !! All talk to get our vote,then they desert us.

Published by: Radomysl Twardowski
Bismarck, ND, USA 11/10/2009 05:31 PM EST

Respectfully, but Cardinal George is still too rosy about President Obama's intentions. Obama's first comment after the House bill was "how to remove the language in the Senate bill, so that women have choice" (to abortion, that is). Cardinal has to be more diplomatic than the bloggers, but some of that language does not reflect reality, I think. The Eminences sound like they have a bit of that leftist, big-state mindset reflected in the Democrat party agenda. Why not aligning themselves ideologically more with the Republican party?

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