By forcing contraception and sterilization coverage, '...the U.S. government is trampling on the inalienable rights guaranteed in our country's founding documents’ said Detroit Archbishop Allen Vigneron on January 21st. ‘Where is the liberty in a decision to intrude on freedom of conscience?’
His objection to the recent U.S. Department of Health and Human Services mandate revoking a conscience exemption for religiously affiliated health care plans is shared by Dr. Dan Greene, a Catholic obstetrician gynecologist in private practice in the Rochester area. Dr. Greene sees the mandate as only the first step in a continuing erosion of freedoms.
‘I object (to the mandate) based on religious principles - it is clearly an infringement of our constitutional freedom of religion. My concern, of course, stems from the fact that if the government can mandate that Catholic hospitals provide sterilizations and birth control pill coverage, what is to stop them down the road from mandating that individual healthcare providers such as myself will have to do so as well? I can choose not to prescribe birth control in my practice. However I can easily see in the very near future hospitals, insurance companies, and even professional organizations override their personal conscience and agree to provide birth control or sterilizations rather than risk losing their hospital admitting privileges, their professional credentials or their ability to carry certain insurance plans. Once the government has larger institutions such as hospitals and Catholic institutions under their mandate, individual providers certainly would not be far behind in that regard.’
Dr. Greene is in agreement about the need to protect our freedom rights at the first threat. ‘The bishop is correct in his concerns. This is an unprecedented step by our government and a very major step on the slippery slope toward significant infringement of our religious freedom’ says Dr. Greene. ‘At the risk of comparing this issue to a much greater evil that took place in Germany in the 1930's and 40's I am reminded of what the German pastor Martin Niemoller said regarding the fascist rise to power before WWII. He said that ‘First they came for the Communists and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Communist; then they came for the trade unionists and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a trade unionist; then they came for the Jews and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Jew; and then they came for the Catholics and I didn't speak up because I was a Protestant; and then they came for me and there was no one left to speak out for me.’ All people of good conscience who respect religious freedom need to stand up against this government mandate.’
Dr. Greene says he is happy that the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops has come out so strongly in the defense of conscience rights. The hope is that both liberal Catholics whether they follow church teachings about birth control or not, will unite with conservatives under the common banner of religious freedom.
‘We absolutely have to deluge our elected representatives in Congress to let them know how strongly we stand against this measure. We have to support the Catholic bishops who've spoken out against this measure. Finally we need to spread the word as to what this measure truly represents and get other people of good conscience to stand against it as well’ says Greene, echoing the Archbishop who challenged:
‘Lawmakers in Washington need to step up, step in, and protect the rights of their fellow citizens from a government mandate that is truly unconscionable. This fight against the Federal Government's over-reaching exercise of its power is everybody's fight.’
To contact your local representative to support the ‘Respect for Rights of Conscience Act’ follow this link to the Catholic Legislative Advocacy Network.
Daniel J. Greene, MD is a board certified obstetrician gynecologist practicing at Crittenton Hospital in Rochester, Michigan. He has over 15 years of experience in private practice and is a parishioner at St. Mary of the Hills in Rochester. Celebrating 20 years of marriage this year Dr. Greene is the proud father of four sons. Look for the upcoming interview with Dr. Greene as he discusses the Catholic answer to contraception - Natural Family Planning.
