Posted on 12/02/2008 3:44:05 PM PST by wagglebee
ARLINGTON, Virginia, December 2, 2008 (LifeSiteNews.com) - Bishop Paul Loverde of the diocese of Arlington weighed in on the Freedom of Choice Act (FOCA) last week, saying that if he oversaw a Catholic hospital he would neither close the facility nor allow it to perform abortions if FOCA were to become law.
Though there are currently no Catholic hospitals in the Arlington diocese, the bishop spoke defiantly against FOCA, which would force all health care providers to procure abortions at any stage of development, regardless of their moral or religious objection.
I would say, Yeah, Im not going to close the hospital, youre going to arrest me, go right ahead," Bishop Loverde told a group of mostly young adults at a diocesan event, according to a CNS report.
"Youll have to drag me out, go right ahead. Im not closing this hospital, we will not perform abortions, and you can go take a flying leap.
At a 2007 Planned Parenthood conference, Obama promised that one of his highest priorities as president would be to pass FOCA, rendering illegal all state and federal limits on abortion. This would include abortion clinic regulations, parental notification requirements, bars to taxpayer abortion funding, and the partialbirth abortion ban, in addition to laws protecting doctors' rights to conscientious objection.
Its quite a title, let me tell you, Bishop Loverde said of the Freedom of Choice Act. Its a misnomer, its neither free nor choice, so I dont know where they got the name of the act, because its just crazy, because it has no freedom, and it has no choice.
Catholic and pro-life voices have raised the alarm on the unprecedented danger the bill represents for unborn Americans, with Catholic officials particularly concerned that U.S. Catholic hospitals will be forced to close en masse in the face of mandatory abortion.
Chicago Cardinal Francis George, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), issued in November a statement on behalf of all Catholic bishops warning Obama that "aggressive pro-abortion policies, legislation and executive orders will permanently alienate tens of millions of Americans, and would be seen by many as an attack on the free exercise of their religion."
One unnamed senior Vatican official recently told TIME magazine that the passage of FOCA would mean "the equivalent of a war" between Mr. Obama and the Catholic Church.
See related LifeSiteNews.com articles:
The Coming "War" Between the Obama Administration and the Catholic Church
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2008/nov/08111908.html
US Bishops Issue Stark Warning to Obama over Abortion
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2008/nov/08111209.html
Catholics and Evangelicals Urge Intense Prayer Against Abortion for Coming Obama Rule
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2008/nov/08111910.html
Possibly. Or the state can simply expropriate the hospital.
But I think he is right, the Church should not just close the hospitals, they should defy the law if passed first, and excommunicate the collaborators.
They don’t have to arrest. They just sue and fine and decertify...a death of a thousand paper cuts. No chance for the big gesture, Bishop, unless you shut the doors of the hospital and call the media.
Amen
I couldn’t agree more.
I'm absolutely convinced that Hussein & Company would quietly applaud the closing of catholic hospitals for several reasons....one of which is that the "crisis" created would allow them to ride in on their white horse to present.....HusseinCare.
Please God, let other Bishops speak out in this same way!
Bishop Paul Loverde's Bold Defense of Life, 'Arrest me' [FOCA}
Catholic Bishop: "Go Right Ahead and Arrest Me" Rather than Obey Freedom of Choice Act
Priest: Voting For Obama Could Be 'Mortal Sin'
Calif. priest tells Obama supporters to confess
The Freedom of Choice Act showdown is coming; it will change everything
Doug Kmiecs Departure from the Pro-life Movement
Jill Stanek: Counterfeit pro-lifers: A case of mistaken identity
FOCA's effects seen as dire, but chance of it passing considered slim
Why Kmiec Will Not Become The New Vatican Ambassador
Abortion Advocates Downplay Potential for Passing Radical FOCA Bill
Lose-Lose on Abortion; Obama's threat to Catholic hospitals and their very serious counterthreat.
Administrator of the Catholic Diocese of Charleston stepped in it (Re: Fr. Newman)
Obama Picks Staffer of Pro-Abortion Group as Comm Director
Catholic Leader: Excommunication Possible for Backing Pro-Abortion Bill
The Death of Catholic Culture and the Election of Barack Obama (Catholic Caucus)
Pew study finds election coverage of religion was shallow (don't we know it!)
Biden experiencing troubled conscience over abortion, says Bishop Aquila
Guest Opinion: Fr. Jay Scott Newman in the Lion's Den
Interview with Bishop Hermann on the Courage to Die for Life
U.S. Bishops Cut All Funding to ACORN, Activities Funded Hard to Determine
Pew Study Finds Less Than One Percent of Election Coverage Included Abortion
Douglas Kmiec: Barack Obama More Catholic Than Previous Pro-Life Presidents
Newman in the Lion's Den (For taking care of business.)
How Tom Daschle Might Kill Conservatism [Obamacare: make us dependent, then how to shrink gov't?]
Obama Selecting Most Anti-Life&Family Rads He Can Find-plans to dismantle protection for marriage
Cardinal Stafford Stands by Criticism of Obama
Catholic Church Warns Obama of War between administration and Church
Kmiec: Barack Obama More Catholic Than Previous Pro-Life Presidents (Total Moron Alert)
Bishop discusses reasons behind cutoff of ACORN funding
Planned Parenthood Prez Falsely Says Election Means Catholics Pro-Abortion
A Pro-Life Nughtmare: Daschle Appointed as the new Secretary of Health And Human Services
Planned Parenthood CEO Claims Cardinal O'Malley Out of Step With Catholics
S.C. POLITICIAN RIPS CATHOLICISM
Election Results Don't Mean Pro-Life Movement to Stop, Limit Abortions is Dead
Pro-life movement: Both ends against the middle
Abortion: Obamas nightmare.
A Pro-Life Nightmare: Daschle Appointed as the new Secretary of Health and Human Services
(Not Embryonic)Stem Cell Method Seen as Success (New York Times Buries the Story)
(Anti-)Catholic slur draws ire from council colleagues (South Carolina)
Catholics Who Vote for Freedom of Choice Act Could Face Automatic Excommunication ( 'bout time! )
She'd Be Perfect for the Job -- (Not!) [When did you stop beating your captured Islamo-Nazi?]
The abortion president
Catholic Bishops finally step up against abortion Democrats
The Coming "War" Between the Obama Administration and the Catholic Church
Catholic Caucus: How to Fight FOCA with all resources of the Church
Fr. Newman Responds to Diocesan Concerns about Pro-Abortion Voting Letter
What Catholics Can Expect
Election Part I: We Have No King But Caesar [Obama?] (Reality Alert)
Pope says Catholics in politics must follow faith
Vatican cardinal: Obama is 'Aggressive, Disruptive and Apocalyptic'
AmP Poll: Was SC priest right to suggest confession for Obama voters? [Catholic Caucus]
OKAY OF EMBRYONIC CELL RESEARCH WILL INTRODUCE HIDDEN DANGER..PROPHESIED AS 'COMPARABLE' TO ABORTION
Finally, a Religious Leader with Guts
Bishop Blasts Pro-Choice Politicians (Bishop from Biden's "hometown")
SC priest: No communion for Obama supporters
Our Pastor is in the news because of this article
SC priest: No communion for Obama supporters
Voting bishops [Catholic Caucus]
On the end of Catholic Hospitals
Catholic professor'Kmiec] draws protesters Conservative voted for Obama
Catholic Church drops ACORN funding
Obama has first telephone conversation with the Pope
Catholic bishops will fight Obama on abortion
Catholics gird for fight with Obama on abortion, Paterson, NJ bishop takes a leading role
Jill Stanek: Moving On After Barack Obama, How a Disabled Boy Restored My Pro-Life Fire
Catholic Bishops Urge Huge Anti-FOCA Campaign to Stop Abortion Expansion (Might Close Hospitals)
Abortion and Euthanasia Bringing about the Demise of Catholic Health Care: Catholic Obstetrician
To accept abortion is to challenge God, Lord of all things...
USCCB: Church should oppose FOCA 'early and often,' Niederauer (Pelosi's Archbishop) says
Cardinal [George]: Obama's Presidency Heals Racism, Now Time to End Abortion
CNNs Rick Sanchez: Does the GOP Have to Be Anti-Abortion?
Catholic bishops plan to forcefully confront Obama
Niece of Martin Luther King Jr.: "The Dream" Is Not Yet Fulfilled
Barone: Media wanted Palin abortion
New York Subway Riders Respond to Ad and Share Post-Abortion Grief, Agony
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr's Niece{Dr. Alveda King]: Abortion Means Obama Doesn't Fulfill Dream
Bishops to present concerns on abortion, other issues to politicians
Kneeling Before the World [Catholic Caucus]
Fr. Frank Pavone of Priests for Life Receives Post-Election Death Threat
Barone: 'Liberal media' wanted Palin to abort
BISHOPS APPROVE BLESSING FOR CHILD IN THE WOMB
FIRST THINGS: Obama and the Bishops
Head of U.S. bishops says no compromise on abortion
Washington Post Admits Bias for Obama, Calls Pro-Life Policies "Offensive"
Washington Post Admits Bias for Obama, Calls Pro-Life Policies "Offensive"
Novena for the Protection of the Unborn
Carving Out a Better Respect Life Position
Prez Herod (post election reflection)
Wash Post: Pro-Life Views "Ideologically Offensive"
Vatican fires off warning to Barack Obama over stem cell research
Election of Obama a Disaster for Pro-Life Fight in EU and Africa: Prominent Kenyan Physician
Bishops will not skip debate on abortion and politics
Obama's Startling Reaction to Funeral Service for Baby Killed After Failed Abortion
MCCL [MN's largest pro-life organization] achieves nearly all pro-life goals in 2008 election
No "Presidential sleight of hand" on stem cells
Voting for Reproductive Freedom (NYT pro-abort alert)
Abortion Groups Confident Obama Will Push His Pro-Abortion Agenda
Obama reviews Bush orders on stem cells, drilling
Obama reviews Bush orders on stem cells, drilling (Be prepared for the gas prices to go up)
Let us Celebrate Barrack Obama, Let us Celebrate Life
Obama Positioned to Quickly Reverse Bush Actions Stem Cell, Climate Rules
Pro-Life Dem Breakthroughs (Bad News for FOCA?)
Stopping FOCA: EWTN TV w/ Gianna Jessen, Sister Nirmala, Archbishop Burke, among others(?)
Dr. Alveda King to Pro-Lifers: Forward, March
What America Has Done (Was the election about racial equality or the right to life?)
The Freedom of Choice Act: Radical Attempt to Prematurely End Debate over Abortion
Becket Fund to Award Canterbury Medal to Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, OFM Cap.
Doug Kmiec to give election post-mortem at Calif. seminary [Catholic Caucus]
Fighting FOCA (the time to act is now!)
Billy Graham Won't Advise Obama Because of Strong Pro-Abortion Position
Bishop Carlson: Our witness must grow stronger (Statement on election results)
Back to the Drawing Board (several bishops calling for Faithful Citizenship to be overhauled)
On Eucharistic Consistency (Florida bishop urges Biden to examine conscience before Communion)
Future Obama abortion legislation will violate conscience rights, PRI president says
THERE IS STILL A GOD IN HEAVEN!
Bill Berkowitz: Religious Right Down but Not Out
Freedom of Choice Act - Election Implications
A Post Election Reflection: Pray, Plan and Participate
Payback Time: What Planned Parenthood Expects from Barack Obama
Life will not go on
Catholic Leaders React to Obama Victory, Offer Advice
Archbishop Chaput Eager to See Kmiec Deliver a Pro-Life Obama
History, Hyperbole and Horror (Eye opening)
[Electing Obama] A Grave Mistake and an Abiding Hope
Fight FOCA (Unlimited Abortion) Sign the Fight FOCA Petition ASAP Get Involved!!
Douglas W. Kmiec on 'Obama's Miracle'
"The Killing Must End: Christian Defense Coalition to Launch Major Post-Inaugural Pro-Life Campaign
Pro-Life Advocates Urged to Renew Efforts Against Abortion After Election Loss
Obama Pushes Abortion on Day One With Emanuel Pick
Warriors with Our Eyes Fixed on Heaven (Bishop Finn's Excellent Column) [Ecumenical]
** Its about time ALL Christians stood up for their beliefs and not just Catholics!**
Amen!
(But that’s why the media hates Catholics — LOL!)
Yes, and where is this care to be dispensed? Secular facilities alone could never contain the volume. The white horse Barfsack rode in one would soon be unmasked as a whitewashed disease-ridden camel.
Courageous bishop! May many more follow his footsteps!
It’s more like the freedom of murder act. The fact that Bozo is willing, nay eager, to sign this act that forces doctors to commit murder against their will shows what an evil person he is. He is the evil that liberals have deluded themselves into believing Bush is. To the liberals a man who doesn’t want to kill babies is evil, while a man who rushes to kill them is kind and just. What slimy gits all liberals are.
You would think that in a nation like the USA, where we do still enjoy many rights and liberties, bishops would happily and readily bear such profound witness to the Truth.
Such remarks should be standard for all clergy and the devout.
That such remarks are noteworthy is sad.
Amen that this bishop is speaking with such conviction.
...and nationalize the private Catholic hospitals.
That IS what this is about.
They (the abortuary-industrial complex. aka “Big Abortion”) know the Church won’t budge on this issue.
They simply wish to create a reason to steal and/or bankrupt these hospitals.
Future Cardinal?
I heard somewhere that Catholic hospitals are 33% of those operating. Can someone confirm this info?
God bless Bishop Paul Loverde.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.