You're not entitled to your own Church Joe!

Since Cardinal O'Connor left his pulpit in New York's St Patrick's Cathedral, pro-death Catholic politicians have had it relatively easy. He went toe to toe with Mario Cuomo in his infamous statement, "I am personally opposed to abortion but I won't impost my beliefs on anyone else." Gerladine Ferraro knew his disapproval and so did Sen Daniel Patrick Moynihan. But since then things have been a bit easier for these traitors, and they have been reviving the old NARAL talking points, "I am a good Catholic I go to Mass, but I won't impose my beliefs on another, I won't get between a woman and her doctor."

They've faced opposition to be sure, from brave prelates like Archbishop Chaput, Cardinal Dolan, and Cardinal Burke, but somehow they were lulled into thinking that they could have their pro-abortion cake and eat it too. That day may be coming to an end, thanks be to God.
The USCCB has responded to Joe Biden's deliberately misleading remarks about the HHS mandate. After all, if they are going to sue the US government, there must still be a reason, right?
I think Cardinal O'Connor is smiling down on his brother bishops today, saying, "You tell 'em, boys!"

Here is their statement.

USCCB RESPONDS TO INACCURATE STATEMENT OF FACT ON HHS MANDATE MADE DURING VICE PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE

WASHINGTON—The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) issued the following statement, October 12.  Full text follows:

Last night, the following statement was made during the Vice Presidential debate regarding the decision of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to force virtually all employers to include sterilization and contraception, including drugs that may cause abortion, in the health insurance coverage they provide their employees:

“With regard to the assault on the Catholic Church, let me make it absolutely clear. No religious institution—Catholic or otherwise, including Catholic social services, Georgetown hospital, Mercy hospital, any hospital—none has to either refer contraception, none has to pay for contraception, none has to be a vehicle to get contraception in any insurance policy they provide. That is a fact. That is a fact.”

This is not a fact. The HHS mandate contains a narrow, four-part exemption for certain “religious employers.” That exemption was made final in February and does not extend to “Catholic social services, Georgetown hospital, Mercy hospital, any hospital,” or any other religious charity that offers its services to all, regardless of the faith of those served.

HHS has proposed an additional “accommodation” for religious organizations like these, which HHS itself describes as “non-exempt.” That proposal does not even potentially relieve these organizations from the obligation “to pay for contraception” and “to be a vehicle to get contraception.” They will have to serve as a vehicle, because they will still be forced to provide their employees with health coverage, and that coverage will still have to include sterilization, contraception, and abortifacients. They will have to pay for these things, because the premiums that the organizations (and their employees) are required to pay will still be applied, along with other funds, to cover the cost of these drugs and surgeries.

USCCB continues to urge HHS, in the strongest possible terms, actually to eliminate the various infringements on religious freedom imposed by the mandate.

For more details, please see USCCB’s regulatory comments filed on May 15 regarding the proposed “accommodation”: www.usccb.org/about/general-counsel/rulemaking/upload/comments-on-advance-notice-of-proposed-rulemaking-on-preventive-services-12-05-15.pdf

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Keywords: vice presidential debate, HHS mandate, U.S. bishops, U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, insurance plans, Catholic hospitals, charities, social services, sterilization, contraception, religious liberty, USCCB