Vatican paper: US bishops speak for Catholic Church on health care reform

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Comments: 32

Cardinal Francis George

Vatican City, Mar 16, 2010 / 02:40 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- In a story written by reporter Marco Bellizzi, the Vatican newspaper L’Osservatore Romano (LOR) points out that the American Catholic Bishops speak for the Catholic Church when they criticize the current health care bill.

“No support in the dark for health reform,” the LOR subtitles its story, which explains that “the health care bill approved by the US Senate is not acceptable.” “It cannot be supported and the moral objections raised by the project cannot be postponed for a later moment.”

“While the (US) congress, pressed by President Obama, is at a crucial moment for the destiny of the reform, in which the White House has invested lots of energy and lots of political credibility, the bishops of the US clarify again the position of the Catholic Church, repeatedly explained with frequent messages addressed to the senators and the congressmen, as well as to Obama himself.”

According to the Vatican newspaper, Cardinal Francis George’s Monday statement, “clears the field of some misconceptions springing from the position taken by the Catholic Health Association (CHA,) which, by the words of Sr. Carol Keehan, had called for support of the Senate version, postponing for later the changes related to the most controversial issue … the federal funding of abortion.”

“The CHA’s position,” LOR explains, “does not reflect in any way the convictions of the United States Bishops Conference.”

The Vatican newspaper also details why the USCCB supports the House version of the bill, which includes the Stupak Amendment, whose language prevents the use of federal funds to pay for abortions.

LOR asserts that “it is not acceptable to wait for the approval of the project, given the multiple moral objections,” and quotes Cardinal George’s Midwest expression: “it would be like buying ‘a pig in a poke.’ The fear, obviously, is to later find out that it is a cat,” the article says in explanation of the saying.

Vatican's paper also mentions the different “forms of pressure to convince US pro-lifers” to support the health care bill, in particular the attack on the USCCB from an expert in health legislation, Professor Timothy Stolfzfus Jost, from the Washington and Lee University School of Law.

“Nevertheless, God, like the devil, is in the details,” writes L’Osservatore, quoting the latest column of Archbishop of Denver, Charles J. Chaput. OFM Cap.

The Vatican daily also quotes Archbishop Chaput on how “long, unpleasant and too often dishonest the national health-care debate is now in its last days. Its most painful feature has been those ‘Catholic’ groups that by their eagerness for some kind of deal undercut the witness of the Catholic community and help advance a bad bill into a bad law.”

“The Senate’s bill, according to Archbishop Chaput, fails because it does not prevent the (federal) funding of abortion, does not provide an adequate protection to conscientious objection and is not sufficiently inclusive regarding the immigrants,” the Vatican newspaper reports.

The article concludes by quoting the Archbishop of Denver, who recently reminded people that “groups, trade associations and publications describing themselves as ‘Catholic’ or ‘prolife’ that endorse the Senate version – whatever their intentions – are doing a serious disservice to the nation and to the Church, undermining the witness of the Catholic community.”

Comments: 32

Subscriber comments:

Published by: ruby
denver CO USA 03/27/2010 02:22 AM EST

there is no federal funding for abortion in the healthcare bill. There is a reason the nuns wrote to support it - they have heart, and care about care for the people. I am concerned that this Pope is doing more to destroy the Catholic church and make it irrelevant. Is that his intention? Pedophilia is acceptable, but opposition to healthcare based on a lie about federal abortion funding is ok?

Published by: Christina Sims
thomaston, ct, usa 03/18/2010 04:36 AM EST

Archbishop Charles Chaput of Denver,Co., USA speaks for God..then the Holy Catholic Church and the faithful followers...Thanks be to God for blessing out world with people like Archbishop Chaput..He speaks for what is right and pleasing to God.. The USA Health Care Bill should not pass as it currently does not prevent the federal funding of abortions, and does not protect health care professionals from conscientious objection..I am with our Mother Church in Rome, Papal leadership, and people like Archbishop Chaput..Thanks be to God for letting us speak out for Him.. May He have mercy on all of us..

Published by: JLS
Riverside, CA, USA 03/17/2010 09:50 PM EST

There is only one rational way to improve health care, and that is to produce more doctors.

Published by: Adim
Providence, RI 03/17/2010 02:59 PM EST

Praise be to our Lord Jesus Christ, now and forever. I often wonder why people can't approach issues objectively anymore. The issue is on healthcare and not sex abuse(as true and painful as it is). Some contributors sex abuse issue to divert attention. Is there any other institution in this world, and USA in particular, that has offered healthcare and have more experience in it, than the Catholic church? Even before the entity known today as the USA was formed, the catholic church has been engaged in healthcare, so it is very wrong for anyone to say that the church is out of touch with healthcare issue. On the contrary, the bishops who also speak for the church here in the USA, is interested in healthcare. They have made it very clear, that if the abortion issue is dropped, they will actively support and push for the passage of the bill. I think that any objective mind, who has no ulteriour motive, will recognise the truth. The tactics now is to silence the church with sex abuse issues, as if it is a perculiar catholic issue. I do not in anyway condone or justify the evil of sex abuse, but my question is, "why is the media and the other critics not addressing the sex abuse cases that went on and are going on in public schools and other churches?" Anytime the church speak, critics bring up sex abuse to silence the church. Let us continue to pray for God's love and guidance our church, so that we will continue to be the church that our Lord Jesus wants us to be. Amen.

Published by: Marie
PA 03/17/2010 01:58 PM EST

We haven't received ANY info in our parishes from the USCCB in our diocese of Harrisburg, PA. Is the USCCB getting the word out to the flock on their opposition to 'healthcare'?

Published by: Charlene
Massachusetts,USA 03/17/2010 11:36 AM EST

Rate: Good

I would be curious as to the Church's position on the 45,000 people who will die each year because of no health insurance? Collateral damage? Federal funding for abortions is already against the law. As a lapsed lifelong Catholic, I see the Church as an arm of the Republican party, or visa vesa.

Published by: anna mccurry
mcdonough,ga,usa 03/17/2010 11:22 AM EST

THE church is over 2,0000 years old. We've been thru this fight before, for each peroon to have, " the right to life", from conception to natural death, and we will continue to fight for this right up until Jesus comes back! Thank God for The One Holy Catholic Apostolic Church.

Published by: Question Posed
United States 03/17/2010 11:04 AM EST

Correction: The provision in the bill, although not a model of clarity, appears to exempt the items listed from the definition of assisted suicide/euthanasia/mercy killing.

Published by: Question Posed
United States 03/17/2010 10:57 AM EST

Question: What position, if any, does the Catholic church take on the following provision in the bill, which at least would appear to allow assisted suicide/euthanasia/mercy killing, but prohibits discrimination -- except for the listed exceptions -- against entities that don't? SEC. 1553. PROHIBITION AGAINST DISCRIMINATION ON ASSISTED SUICIDE (a) In General- The Federal Government, and any State or local government or health care provider that receives Federal financial assistance under this Act or any health plan created under this Act may not subject an individual or institutional health care entity to discrimination on the basis that the entity does not provide any health care item or service furnished for the purpose of causing, or for the purpose of assisting in causing, the death of any individual, such as by assisted suicide, euthanasia, or mercy killing. . . . (c) Construction and Treatment of Certain Services- Nothing in subsection (a) shall be construed to apply to, or to affect, any limitation relating to-- (1) the withholding or withdrawing of medical treatment or medical care; (2) the withholding or withdrawing of nutrition or hydration; (3) abortion; or (4) the use of an item, good, benefit, or service furnished for the purpose of alleviating pain or discomfort, even if such use may increase the risk of death. . .

Published by: S
Elkhart/IN/USA 03/17/2010 10:51 AM EST

Actually, if you have been following this debate, you know that the bishops (unlike many of the laity) are in favor of healthcare reform. They simply are not in favor of paying for the murder of children. I will not comment on the rest of the unrelated drivel.

Published by: Anthony
Texas, USA 03/17/2010 10:01 AM EST

I do not have health insurance. I wish that I did for my family's sake. I pray that all of God's creation may have life according to God's will. I support our American bishops in their mission to preach the truth. God bless Pope Benedict, Archbishop Chaput, and all our holy priests and religious during these most troubling times. Pray for the unborn. They are all truly gifts from God and incredibly special in his eyes. May God have mercy on our souls.

Published by: Michelle
Miami, FL, US 03/17/2010 09:56 AM EST

Catholics better get ready to be smacked by the media. The calumny will be out in full force. What will follow is Sun Tzu's, The Art of War, practiced by our own government against people of faith, who refuse to comform. All under the veil of the media of course. Please pray for our church and our amazing priests, a great majority of which, have left everything to dedicate their lives to God. May God bless His church. "There is a concentrated effort by the media today to totally denigrate in every way the Catholic Church in this country. What are these people trying to accomplish?" Sam Miller, prominent Cleveland businessman – Jewish, not Catholic – is fighting mad about & concentrated effort by the media to denigrate the Catholic Church in this country.

Published by: James McCarthy
Somerville, MA, USA 03/17/2010 08:31 AM EST

The Catholic Bishops of the USA have by their own failures lost the ability to speak for the Catholic Church. The Catholic Church in the USA includes the Laity.

Published by: John117
Earth 03/17/2010 03:16 AM EST

The first bunch of comments made me double check if I was at the correct website: CatholicNewsAgency or the SecularNewsAgency

Published by: J
San Jose, CA 03/17/2010 01:24 AM EST

May God keep the USCCB and continue to push us as citizens and as elected officials in doing what is right and moral, rather than that which is expedient or simply popular.

Published by: Mark
Edison/NJ/USA 03/16/2010 11:57 PM EST

No one should ever be forced to pay for killing a child. No doctor should ever be forced to kill a child or lose their license. The church has an obligation to protest laws that violate the Ten Commandments.

Published by: Antonio A. Badilla
Simi Valley Calif, USA 03/16/2010 10:01 PM EST

To say "The catholic church has no business getting into politics...ever," simply shows how some Catholics would like to shut the Church from speaking freely and openly in the public square. I guess when the Baptists spoke up against racism during the Civil Rights Movement, they were also supposed to shut up and keep their religion in the closet. Also, because a small percentage of Catholic priests have violated their priestly vocation due to sexual abuse, that does not, in any way, lessened the moral authority of the Church. Shameful diverting tacting from "was" Catholic won't work!

Published by: Byron Curtis
Pittsburgh, PA USA 03/16/2010 09:14 PM EST

The US bishops see the matter clearly. I'm not Catholic, but I've gratefully posted their statement on my website. -Confessional Presbyterian

Published by: Larry
Arkansas 03/16/2010 08:40 PM EST

I am proud of the courage our Bishops are showing on this matter. They are not opposed to Healthcare reform. They ARE against a BAD Healthcare bill.

Published by: Joseph G. Mitzen
Linde, NJ USA 03/16/2010 08:17 PM EST

Over and over again it has been patiently explained to health conspiracy theorists that the bill does not provide federal money for abortions. However, people have allowed themselves to be tricked by those with a motivation to block health care reform into believing it does. This is on the order of the "death panels" claim. That said, I don't see health care in the Nicene creed and thus don't see how the Church should be telling Catholics what bills they should support.

Published by: Joe
MA 03/16/2010 07:19 PM EST

Do you think some of the bitter comments posted in favor of Obamacare and against the church are part of a concerted campaign? It's 1938, all over again.

Published by: JLS
Riverside, CA, USA 03/16/2010 07:00 PM EST

The bill needs to be thrown on the ash heap of history. And since when does some reporter define episcopal authority?

Published by: jim
Kansas 03/16/2010 06:50 PM EST

Well, Well, Well...If you are so against Christ and His Church, then what are you doing on this site to begin with? Just remember,"THE GATES OF HELL SHALL NEVER PREVAIL AGAIST HER!" Thanks be to GOD! p.s. all sinners will have to answer for there transgressions, including me.

Published by: Tom W
Colorado Springs Co 03/16/2010 05:35 PM EST

I totally understand the position of the Catholic Church especially on the issue of abortion, however, the Catholic Church must step forward and with their own Catholic hospitals provide service above what they already do to those without insurance. I have had many discussions with people with no insurance who beg for help and it is not there. What are they to do but still flood our emergency rooms which cost are passed on to all of us. We need health care reform now and the longer we put it off the more people will go without and die.

Published by: Leigh
Louisisana 03/16/2010 05:12 PM EST

Bravo to our Bishops for speaking out against this socialist evil! Bravo!!!Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam!!

Published by: Pat
Pendleton, OR 03/16/2010 05:07 PM EST

Rate: Regular

The catholic church has no business getting into politics...ever. Individual opinions are our right, but not the opinions of a corrupt organization trying to influence political outcomes. By the way, I do not support the "health control bill".

Published by: was catholic
cincinnati,ohio 03/16/2010 04:55 PM EST

Rate: Bad

I find it so interesting that these "holy men" are so concerned for the "sanctity of life" and yet are some of the same who prey on and abuse those given this "precious" life.

Published by: Spammy
Texas 03/16/2010 04:46 PM EST

Rate: Regular

This is probably why the church is dying. It is so out of touch with people that it can't even maintain a strong presence in Spain anymore. Just another few years and the Vatican will be a theme park.

Published by: DP
Austin, TX 03/16/2010 04:42 PM EST

Rate: Regular

Yank the non-profit status of this church now. This is an abomination. It is deplorable that these politicians in sheeps clothing would evade taxes while pontificating a political agenda. Disgusting. What a corrupt and fallen institution.

Published by: Gerry Brundage
Pottsboro/Tx/US 03/16/2010 04:24 PM EST

Rate: Good

H.R. 3590 is just a bailout of the Abortion Industry. 40% of all abortions in America are performed on Black women. Half of all Black pregnancies end in abortion. Obama is the new collaborator in Planned Parenthood's NEGRO PROJECT. Obama Lies! This is Black Genocide in 21st Century America God Save Us!

Published by: Roxanne
Peoria, IL 03/16/2010 04:02 PM EST

Rate: Regular

opposing what people pray for is counterproductive and there is no place for religion that supports selective good health for some but not for all.

Published by: john arnold
jackson,mi 03/16/2010 03:54 PM EST

Rate: Regular

the church needs to clean their own house. the so called holy men that are agince the helth care bill should look what good its going to do. not all catholic have helth care like the most rev.

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