Catholic Senators vote against 'Conscience Law’

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Comments: 54

Cardinal Francis George

Washington D.C., Apr 3, 2009 / 09:13 pm (CNA).- Yesterday, a majority of Catholic Senators rejected a conscience protection law proposed by Senator Tom Colburn that would protect health care workers who object to abortions from participating in the procedure.

Conscience protection has become a topic of debate after President Obama announced that he was reviewing the law and could possible eliminate it. Colburn’s amendment states, "To protect the freedom of conscience for patients and the right of health care providers to serve patients without violating their moral and religious convictions."

The amendment was voted down by a margin of 41-56, in which a majority of Catholic Senators voted against the amendment 9-16. The failure to pass this legislation now leaves the door open for the Obama Administration to rescind the law by executive order and force health workers to compromise their moral convictions.

Last month, Cardinal Francis George, Archbishop of Chicago and President of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), expressed deep concern that removing the conscience rule would be "the first step in moving our country from democracy to despotism."

"No government should come between an individual person and God—that's what America is supposed to be about," he commented. "This is the true common ground for us as Americans."

Rockville Center Bishop William F. Murphy, chairman of the Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), also commented on the possibility of conscience laws being revoked saying,"[it] raises a real issue, because the statutes are intended to protect human rights – rights of conscience and rights of freedom of religion," Bishop Murphy said. "So why should everyone be concerned about this? Because if one person's rights can be compromised, everybody's rights can be compromised."

Murphy called on all Catholics to respond together to protect these basic "human rights," "The lay men and women of our churches, of our parishes and dioceses across the country have to be the voices of the Catholic Church today. Their voice is stronger than ours in many instances because they are the constituents, because they vote and because the politicians know they need the votes to be re-elected."

Yet, 16 Catholic Senators still voted against the protection of these "human rights" including: Begich (D-AK), Dodd (D-CT), Kaufman (D-CT), Durbin (D-IL), Harkin (D-IA), Landrieu (D- LA), Collins (R-ME), Mikulski (D-MD), Kerry (D-MA), McCaskill (D-MO), Menendez (D-NJ), Gillibrand (D-NY), Reed (D-RI), Leahy (D-VT), Cantwell (D-WA), Murray (D-WA).

The nine Catholic Senators that voted for the amendment were; Murkowski (R-AK), Martinez (R-FL), Risch (R-ID), Brownback (R-KS), Bunning (R-KY), Vitter (R-LA), Johanns(R-NE), Voinovich (R-OH), and Casey (D-PA).

Comments: 54

Subscriber comments:

Published by: Kathryn
St. Louis, MO 06/29/2009 04:24 PM EST

Take action - as the deciples of old be Fishers of Men and reel them into the Light. Write each of the senators listed above and express the importance of upholding life. I did. As a licensed health professional I have taken an active and personal interest in this matter - as a Child of God I am obligated to speak out for those whom can not oppose their own murder. Speak out!

Published by: C L Lee, MD
Alexandria, La 04/12/2009 07:24 AM EST

Why blame the senators and the bishops? Look to yourselves. How many Catholic women use the pill? How many Catholic and other women of consicence have threatened to use another physician if their Catholic OBGYN doctor doesn't bring his/her practice in line with the teachings of Holy Mother Church?

Just threaten to use a local Family Practice doctor for your annual pap smear instead of your gynecologist. It is a credible threat. Nearly all of us in Medicine need to make an income and are sensitive to its potential loss. We like most everyone else can salve our consciences by telling ourselves we just need to do this or that wrong thing in order to survive.

Published by: Catherine Emmett
Virginia Beach, VA U.S.A 04/09/2009 06:00 PM EST

HOW DARE THEY TAKE AWAY THE FREEDOM OF CHOICE FOR DOCTORS AND NURSES TO PARTICIPATE IN THE ACT OF ABORTION, THESE PEOPLE HAVE CHOSEN A PROFESSION TO HELP SAVE LIVES AND NOW THEY ARE BEING FORCED TO HELP DESTROY LIVES AGAINST THEIR MORAL CONSCIENCE. THIS IS AN ABOMINATION AGAINST THE FIRST AMENDMENT. IS THE U.S.A. A FREE COUNTRY OR DICTATORSHIP, BECAUSE IF THE PASSES AND THESE PEOPLE HAVE TO ASSIST IN SOMETHING THEY CLEARLY ARE AGAINST THEN THERE IS NO QUESTION............THE LAND OF THE FREE IS BEING RUN BY A ...........GROUP OF DICTATORS, THIS IS ABSOLUTELY LUDICROUS!!!!!!

Published by: Dan
Santa Fe/NM/US 04/08/2009 12:33 PM EST

Rate: Very Good

"If people cannot provide medical services without violating their conscience they can find another occupation or practice in a country where medical procedures are governed by religious dogma rather than medical science and the well being of the patient." How about the well being of the murdered child? What was that oath physicians use to adhere to? This is why we need a exception clause for the shrinking number of MD's who are pro-life. Besides I don't think there is a pro-life country left on the planet---it appears you have won the battle but lost your soul.

Published by: Mary Dilworth
Baltimore, MD 04/07/2009 10:14 PM EST

They vote for Freedom of Choice and then vote against Freedom of Conscience. Is that not the height of illogic and injustice?

The country was founded by people who respected the right to practice their God given rights, including the free exercise of religion.
We allow people to be placed in non combat positions because they do not want to kill; now these "my party right or wrong" legislators would deny citizens the right to exercise their good conscience in wanting to preserve life. They need our prayers!!!

Published by: Christopher Mc Camley
Ireland 04/07/2009 01:21 PM EST

This vote shows up the nonsense of "personally opposed" positions. This is the minimum position to adopt - letting others make up their own minds. They are a disgrace to the Church - worse than child molesters.

Published by: Paul F. Scheckel
Pullman, Mi. USA 04/07/2009 12:45 PM EST

It is almost unbelievable that a (so-called)Catholic politician would put politics above moral certitude! Being that almost all of them are democrats, they have lockstep with their 'leader' much in the manner the Reichstag locksteped (goosestep!)with Hitler when he came into power.(I, digress)).

Published by: DC
Colorado 04/07/2009 12:27 PM EST

Those that voted against the amendment are not Catholics and EACH of their bishops should make that clear.

Published by: M. Forrest
Hampden, MA 04/07/2009 10:13 AM EST

"I pray that our Catholic politicians will start voting their conscience rather than their party ideologies. We need more Catholic politicians like Sen. Casey."

Don't be fooled by Casey. He has been called to account by his bishop for caving in to the Democrats on life issues. I don't believe for a second that he would have bucked the party had the vote been closer - if his vote would have made a practical difference, I believe he would have fallen right back into line like a good little Democrat.

Published by: M. Forrest
Hampden, MA 04/07/2009 10:09 AM EST

What shocker, all of those voting against it were Democrats. And with one exception, all those voting for it were Republicans.

It seems the are Democrat Catholics - Democrats first and Catholics second.

Please, bishops, stop the charade and tell these "Catholics" to shape up or canon 915 will be applied to them.

Published by: Fr. Anthony Weidner
Omaha, NE 04/07/2009 09:52 AM EST

I am far less concerned about the "Catholic" senators than I am concerned with the insane callousness of *all* the senators and the constituents they represent who are so roundly represented by Robin, the commenter above. These people don't get it - we (and not just Catholics! it's a matter of reasoned right and wrong, not religious conviction!) *really believe* that abortion is the heinous murder of an innocent!! What a fantastically grave insult to health care providers to claim that their refusal to slake their hands with the blood of innocents is a refusal to "dispense medicine" or do their job. Outrageous!! Yet this is the world we live in. These evil laws have to do with the crushing of conscience and the will to speak and act against evil. Pray, pray, pray.

And Peter, the very article on which you are commenting refutes your claim in rather absolute terms.

Will you all please actually publish my comment for once!?!?!?

Published by: Mason
California 04/07/2009 09:43 AM EST

Shame on them all.

Published by: Marty Kulick
POPLAR GROVE 04/07/2009 09:07 AM EST

CAN YOU NOT SEE THE CATHOLIC SENATORS IN THEIR SEATS OF POWER SCREAMING, "WE HAVE NO GOD BUT OBAMA"

Published by: MARTY
POPLAR GROVE, ILL 04/07/2009 08:38 AM EST

WHEN ARE THE PEOPLE GOING TO REALIZE THAT THE CHANGE THEY VOTED FOR WAS COMMUNISM. LOOK UP EAST BERLIN AND WEST BERLIN WE ARE GOING TO BECOME THE SAME AS EAST BERLIN. THE ANTI-INTELLIGENT SCHOOL SYSTEM AND THE DEMOCRATS HAVE WON. REMEMBER IT'S FOR THE CHILDREN-ABORTION! AND FOR THE ELDERLY-EUTHENASIA! LET'S ASK THE GUY WE THREW OUT OF THE CLASSROOMS FOR HELP???

Published by: maxsnafu
Lexington, KY USA 04/07/2009 08:12 AM EST

Of course they voted against it. When absolutely no one from the Holy Father on down
will do anything more than complain, what's to stop them? Wholesale
excommunications are in order but that apparently isn't going to happen so let's just get used to this sort of thing.

Published by: Harold Ridaught
Lacombe/LA/USA 04/07/2009 07:52 AM EST

Everyone should call the WH hotline at 202-456-1111 and let President know how they feel.

Published by: Margaret Boker
Olmsted Twp. 04/07/2009 06:45 AM EST

Has anyone asked these "people" what is their rationale. Don't we expect our "leaders" to explain themselves? To deny such a basic right as the conscience of another is unbelievably arrogant.

Published by: D.Smith
Fiddletown, Calif. 04/06/2009 11:58 PM EST

Each of those who voted to destroy the conscience protection should be contacted by their local bishops and advised that if they work against our Creator, they will be refused communion. And if they continue to choose evil, excommunicate so they can't continue to make false claims they are "Catholic."
Voters in their district should give them the boot if there is any hope for religious freedom in our country's future.

Are they atheists? Think about it. If it talks like an atheist, acts like an atheist, you can probably be correct in presuming it is an atheist.
And what's worse is, its the enemy posing as our representatives.

Published by: Tom Stafford
Baton Rouge, LA. U.S. 04/06/2009 11:26 PM EST

Yes, it is time for some excommications. Public sinners serve to lead others into sin. That was the primary reason for that extreme action. It is a much more serious sin to force someone to act against their strongly held spiritual beliefs as well. Oh yes, I remember that more than a few bishops, priests, religious, and lay people going to these hell holes to try and help. There are many others who give financial dupport to such endeavors as well.

Published by: Rob stasi
new york city, NY 04/06/2009 11:10 PM EST

Only a handful of bishops have made known their opposition to this dangerous legislation. WHY ARE THERE NOT MORE
OF THE GUARDIANS OF THE FAITH EXPRESSING THEIR OUTRAGE? IT IS ABOUT TIME THEY SHOULD CEASE ACTING LIKE A BUNCH OF WHIMPS!

Published by: Lynne Hefti
Marrero/LA/USA 04/06/2009 10:51 PM EST

I am not surprised by the vote of "Catholic" senators. For years, God has been pushed out of the public arena, under the guise of separation of church and state, which was meant to protect "we the people" from a state-run religion, NOT to remove God from public life. Our forefathers must be flipping in their graves.
When, oh when, will Catholic Bishops DO God's will, speak the truth, and disregard political correctness?! Until this happens, confusion will reign and "cafeteria" Catholics will abound.
These lawmakers should be given 30 days to recant and repent or suffer the consequences of excommunication.

Published by: LB
NC 04/06/2009 10:09 PM EST

We've heard from how many "Catholic" politicians how they're "personally opposed" to abortion yet couldn't bring themselves to force their beliefs about abortion on others. Yet here that's exactly what they are doing--forcing their (true) beliefs about abortion on others! How long will the American Church continue to avoid the obvious?

Published by: Patricia Grande
Augusta KS USA 04/06/2009 06:20 PM EST

It appears that because these senators gave up their freedom of conscience and the ablity to know right from wrong, they want us all to give up that right. Thank God for the ones who are guided by their right conscience and may God have mercy on all our souls.

Published by: Lynne Hefti
Marrero/LA/USA 04/06/2009 05:51 PM EST

Published by: Ginnie Kind
Naperville IL USA 04/06/2009 05:18 PM EST

In the end our government is the real enemy. Our founders knew that and tried to keep it small. The bigger it gets the more tyrannic it becomes. We are losing our freedom every day and this administration is only speeding up the process exponentially.

Published by: Joan L. Roccasalvo
Bronx 04/06/2009 02:12 PM EST

The bishops in whose dioceses these senators reside shouls write to them asking why they voted against the freedom of conscience rule. Moreover, they ought to have in writing why these senators, all anti-life, consistenly vote with the abortion side. Are they not a scandal to the Church? They have countered pro-life legislation in whatever form with impunity.

Published by: Felix Petrovsky
Colorado Springs, CO 04/06/2009 10:18 AM EST

Do those who oppose the rightt of conscience even know what a conscience is, much less have a conscience themselves?!

Published by: Bill Sr.
Jacksonville. Fl. 04/06/2009 09:00 AM EST

My Comment:

It's over! The America we grew up in during and at the end of WWII with pride of accomplishment in saving the world from Hitler and Communism at such a great sacrifice and price in the lives of our service men and women to bring freedom to millions around the world is gone. The one thing which brought us through all of it was the nation’s faith in God and his laws that we willingly wove into the fabric of our society. As the last of those brave men and women are disappearing so also is the faith that sustained them and our government.
God Help Us.

How far will we allow this madness to take us? What next, can we expect senator to begin the process for Nancy Pelosi to be canonized?

Published by: Delia Millanes-Quinain
Chicago, IL USA 04/05/2009 03:56 PM EST

Once again, this saying resonates: "A society is judged by the way it treats the unborn, the children, and the elderly." What this country needs right now are lots of prayers, but I don't think that the secular America believes this. Sad!

Published by: Mary
Ft. Worth, TX U.S.A. 04/05/2009 03:52 PM EST

Now isn't it interesting that all who voted down the protection law are Democrats? All who were for the protection of conscience law were Republicans except for Sen. Casey. The Catholic legislators have sold their souls for political expediency. God help them!

Published by: robin
Phoenix, Az. 85013 04/05/2009 02:05 PM EST

Rate: Regular

Imagine a person who believes in faith healing given the "right" to refuse to dispense medicine. If people cannot provide medical services without violating their conscience they can find another occupation or practice in a country where medical procedures are governed by religious dogma rather than medical science and the well being of the patient.

Published by: tom
smith 04/05/2009 07:27 AM EST

THEY SHOULD GET OUT ALL THESE CATHOLIC THAT BELIVE IN KILLING
BABIES,ABORTIONS!!!!!!!!

Published by: Staci Orsborn
Newark, Ohio 04/04/2009 06:43 PM EST

How can anyone believe that it's acceptable to force health care workers to compromise their moral convictions. I thought we lived in the United States of America! Catholics and other Christians need to stand up for what is right!

Published by: Mary
Shawnee Mission/KS 04/04/2009 03:35 PM EST

Glad my Senator voted for it! Coburn isn't even a Catholic!

Published by: Shawn L.
Baton Rouge, LA 04/04/2009 03:27 PM EST

If these so-called "Catholic" politicians support infanticide (e.g. abortion, embryonic research, etc), then it should really come as no surprise they would also deny the right of Catholic doctors (and other doctors of good-will) from even objecting to participate in such practices. But the greater failure lies at the feet of the priests and bishops who refuse to hold these politicians accountable, presumably because, not having been formed by the mind of the church themselves, they see nothing wrong with their views.

Published by: John Siple
Santa Rosa, CA, United States 04/04/2009 03:13 PM EST

Three cheers and prayers of even more dissent concerning this new law coming. I was a pharmacy tech for 4 years. I watched women, teenagers, some with their boyfriends, but mostly not, sad, some unknowing, that the Plan B, the 'morning after pill'they were receiving, some with many refills allowed, to more & more come to get a poll that would negate life in the womb if it ws there. My conscience was saddened, and this, for one reason, is why I left pharmacy.

Published by: Francis Xavier T
Washington, D.C. 04/04/2009 01:53 PM EST

God please help us as so few of the American bishops out of 150 will speak out against the powerful evil. They have forgotten the role model Prophet Moses and Prophet Elijah have set for them. God please bless those good priests who stand up to defend the innocent voiceless babies who are being slaughtered. God please hear our prayers and our cry for the innocent baby victims.

Published by: James Marshall
Pittsburgh 04/04/2009 01:41 PM EST

It's getting to look like politicians can't be a Catholic and a Democrat at the same time. And the Party has precidence.

Published by: Lj Fillmore
Dothan, AL; USA 04/04/2009 01:33 PM EST

I guess these so-called Catholic senators have less fear of the wrath of God than the bullies of the current administration. What an insult to every Catholic, every health care provider and every American who values life to assume that one man should have the power to take away a person's right to not participate in murder.

Published by: Dan
Santa Fe/NM/US 04/04/2009 01:06 PM EST

What a shock---all votes anti-Catholic were by Demoncrats. The lone democrate vote in favor of keeping the clause was cast by Casey. The local Bishops have their smoking gun if they truly believe Christ is with them and calling them to action rather than flowery speech.

Published by: Maureen
NY 04/04/2009 12:59 PM EST

Didn't the Church excommunicate heretics in the past? Wasn't this a time when the Church was flourishing, most likely because it didn't fear the IRS, 'Caesar,' or man but sought the will of God? How much more will the Church have to be scandalized and confused by such high profile Catholic heretics. For heaven's sake can't we act?

Published by: Paul Roberts
Chandler, TX, USA 04/04/2009 12:40 PM EST

Those who would deny us our Constitutional rights are nothing less than traitors.

God always comes first. They are not Catholic, rather they serve the evil one.

Published by: cathguy
Connecticut 04/04/2009 12:27 PM EST

Let this be a wake up call for every serious Catholic. Anyone who votes demoncrat in the next election needs to have their head examined.

Who could oppose freedom of conscience protections for health care workers? Only the devil himself is so tricky.

Published by: Bill Sr.
Jacksonville, FL 04/04/2009 12:16 PM EST

It's over! The America we grew up in during and at the end of WWII with pride of accomplishment in saving the world from Hitler and Communism at such a great sacrifice and price in the lives of our service men and women to bring freedom to millions around the world is gone. The one thing which brought us through all of it was the nation’s faith in God and his laws that we willingly wove into the fabric of our society. As the last of those brave men and women are disappearing so also is the faith that sustained them.
God Help Us.

How far will we allow this madness to take us? What next, can we expect someone to begin the process for Nancy Pelosi to be canonized?

Published by: James
Arkansas 04/04/2009 11:36 AM EST

It looks like it is time for some excommunications...

Published by: Kiet Tran
Oak Hill VA 04/04/2009 11:34 AM EST

For the first time, Senator Casey had done the right thing to align with the Church's teaching. I'm hoping that he will continue that route. So far, he failed miserably in alienating the Church and the Pro-Life organizations where he many times use to advance his career.

Published by: John
England 04/04/2009 11:25 AM EST

Ahh, so it was a very partisan vote. It would seem, for many Democrats, party comes before principles. Nancy Pelosi is a perfect example of this behaviour.

Published by: Tim Helwig
Duluth, MN 04/04/2009 10:34 AM EST

I pray that our Catholic politicians will start voting their conscience rather than their party ideologies. We need more Catholic politicians like Sen. Casey.

Published by: Peter
Seattle, Washington 04/04/2009 09:39 AM EST

Rate: Bad

Maybe if American bishops really put themselves on line by going into urban areas to protest and work for an end to gang violence, chronic unemployment, by stridently protesting an American system of justice that is broken, by protesting a death penalty that descriminates against the poor, minorities; by protesting against the rampant greed and corruption of Wall Street bankers that played a large part in breaking down our economic system, by protesting and leading a campaign to end violence against women in marriages, college campuses, and work places, maybe then the American bishops would be taken more seriously. As it is, it takes no courage or effort to preach against abortion in a safe and secure Cathedral.

Published by: Fr. Job
Nicktown, PA, USA 04/04/2009 06:53 AM EST

I am not so concerned about the anti-catholic attitude of our government. Governments have often been opposed to us. What concerns me most is that our government claims religious freedom, but it is not true. Let us acknowledge that America is not long a home of freedom.

Published by: James
Tampa/FL 04/04/2009 05:27 AM EST

The Goats---Begich (D-AK), Dodd (D-CT), Kaufman (D-CT), Durbin (D-IL), Harkin (D-IA), Landrieu (D- LA), Collins (R-ME), Mikulski (D-MD), Kerry (D-MA), McCaskill (D-MO), Menendez (D-NJ), Gillibrand (D-NY), Reed (D-RI), Leahy (D-VT), Cantwell (D-WA), Murray (D-WA).

The Sheep--Murkowski (R-AK), Martinez (R-FL), Risch (R-ID), Brownback (R-KS), Bunning (R-KY), Vitter (R-LA), Johanns(R-NE), Voinovich (R-OH),

Man on the fence-- Casey (D-PA).

Published by: Douglas Anderson
Longmont, CO USA 04/04/2009 02:06 AM EST

It is time for the appropriate ecclesiastical authorities to excommunicate each and every Roman Catholic Senator and Representative who votes a platform in violation of binding Catholic moral doctrine; such public figures merely work to dismantle the Holy Church in contemporary secular society.

Published by: Fr Don Malin
Montrose CO USA 04/04/2009 12:39 AM EST

It seems that the Democratic senators are more democrat than Catholic on this issue. hmmm, who has sold his or her soul?

Published by: Robert Lockwood
Lafayette, CA 04/03/2009 10:23 PM EST

Rate: Excellent

God help us as the morals of our country disintegrate.

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