Catholic Bishops Urge Parishioners To Oppose Health Reform Over Abortion Language

Main Category: Abortion
Also Included In: Health Insurance / Medical Insurance
Article Date: 03 Nov 2009 - 3:00 PDT

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The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops is encouraging priests to speak out against health reform because of the church's opposition to legislative language on abortion, WIBW/CNN reports (WIBW/CNN, 10/30). Fox News reports that the Pro-Life Activities Secretariat of USCCB is urging members of archdioceses and parishes nationwide to send a pre-written e-mail message to House members urging them to oppose any rule that will not allow debate on an amendment adding further restrictions to abortion coverage. The bishops also are encouraging parishioners to send an e-mail to their senators to support such an amendment, Fox News reports.

The e-mail, titled "Oppose Abortion Funding and Mandates in Health Care Reform," says, "If the serious pro-life concerns on abortion funding and conscience rights are not addressed, the final bill should be opposed." It adds, "Genuine health care reform should protect the life and dignity of all people from the moment of conception until natural death" (Fox News, 10/30).

USCCB also is urging parishes to include fliers advertising the e-mail campaign in their weekly newsletters. The flier says the health care legislation is "seriously deficient on the issues of abortion and conscience" and "will have to change or the bishops have pledged to oppose them. Our nation is at a crossroads." The bishops are planning to include similar messages in diocesan newspapers, with text stating, "Americans would be forced to subsidize abortions through their taxes and health insurance premiums" (WIBW/CNN, 10/30).

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