READ IN TODAY'S MASS!

From the Diocese of Raleigh, Office of the Bishop, January 30, 2012

Italics are my commentary. 

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

I write regarding a matter of grave [usually that word in Catholic-speak means of salvific nature as it kills grace in our souls!] concern which strikes at our fundamental rights as Americans to religious liberty and freedom of conscience. On January 20, 2012, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services [run by treacherous and CATHOLIC Kathleen Sebelius betrayer of her God, her faith and her church. May God have mercy on her soul] issued a ruling requiring most employers, including Catholic employers, to include coverage for sterilization, abortion-inducing drugs and contraception in the health insurance provided for their employees. With rare exception, health insurers will also be forced to include coverage in health policies they provide. Additionally, nearly all individuals will be forced to buy coverage as part of their health insurance policy, even if this payment for such coverage is contrary to their religious beliefs.

In making this ruling, our government has denied Catholics the fundamental freedom afforded to us by the Constitution of the United States, which secures our religious liberty. Under directive, we will be compelled either to violate our on science or to drop health coverage for our employees and then suffer penalties for doing so.

And the letter goes on... and signed Most Reverend Michael F. Burbidge, Bishop of Raleigh.
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So many thoughts.

1. We should have seen this coming. Late, but not too late. Now we are discovering that elections have consequences.

2. PROUD and THRILLED my beloved Bishops are taking a stand now. I will stand with them to jail if necessary--and beyond......

3. Okay, so, we have to ask ourselves, why now? Why would the Obama administration float this right now when there is an upcoming election? What is the strategy?

BISHOPS better wake up and smell the political campaign coffee. Everything in DC is political strategizing. NO GULLIBILITY CAN BE CLAIMED after this.

My guess is the Obama's campaign strategy is that he wants to see what response Catholics will give. How big a deal are they going to make about it? Will the Catholics support their bishops? If not... as one bishop said it, "to hell with the Catholics" and then who cares if the healthcare law is constitutional or not. No pushback, more power for the administration. So long Catholic rights-of-conscience.

But if their IS a huge backlash....

Hmmmm.... I predict that before the election a "last minute deal" will be made with Obama, he will promise that he will add a conscience clause and gets to be the heroic Dudley Doright coming to the rescue of his Christians brother and sisters. And voila President Obama--another four years.

Will the conscience clause do any real good? Naw... Because offering an agenda of death to a culture of death is easy.

Either way, Catholics... better make in impact now to stop this, or.... I don't know, is Poland still Catholic?

Actually, this is what my brother told me, so I can't take credit for his political savvy.