Contraceptives at no cost must be covered by church affiliated institutions. This mandate came down as final on Friday, 20 January from Secretary of Health and Human Services, Kathleen Sebelius, giving such institutions one year to comply. Of course, this type of mandate is unconscionable to the Catholic Church in particular, whose teachings expressly forbid the use of contraceptive practices.
Bishop Paul S. Loverde made an impassioned statement upon returning from his ad limina visit to Rome where Pope Benedict XVI addressed members of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops regarding "the nature of the moral good" and the need to "proclaim the Gospel". Bishop Loverde asserted a strong statement of disapproval in his comments.
Calling this decision by the Obama Administration "ill considered policy" a "radical break" with liberty, Bishop Loverde defends the tenets of the Catholic Church held since its inception. The teaching on the dignity and freedom of all human life has remained unchanged for over 2000 years. To mandate that the Church follow a human law that contradicts over two millenia of consistency in living the teachings of Christ Jesus causes Bishop Loverde to insist that this is a "terrible lapse of judgment by our civil leadership here at home."
Loverde further offered that this policy directly interferes with the Church's ability to serve those in need. He expounded on the idea that a policy of this nature crosses a line that is "unprecedented and very dangerous", which will directly impact freedom of religion by doing "intolerable violence to our First Amendment rights." He also called attention to a very limited religious exemption that 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." With this policy in place, the Catholic Church will become less able to support the needs of those in the community; to help restore the culture and bring about a new respect for life and liberty.
Bishop Loverde conclude his remark with a call to action:
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.
His comments draw attention to the fact that this situation has indeed been "thrust upon" the Church. The Church has sought only to be a ally in the arena of social justice, providing for the needs of the poor and the most vulnerable in our society through extensive charitable services. Bishop Loverde is firm that the teachings of the Catholic Faith will not be compromised and that this decision will not be taken lightly in the Arlington Diocese or by the US Conference of Catholic Bishops.
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