Posted on 02/02/2009 5:47:15 AM PST by markomalley
Abortion legislation is stirring concern about the fate of Catholic hospitals, as pro-choice President Barack Obama starts his third week in office.
At issue, is whether the Freedom of Choice Act — which would prohibit government interference with a woman's right to have an abortion — would mandate that Catholic hospitals perform abortions. RELATED STORIES • Online: Read the Catholic Health Association's comment on the FOCA
"We're not going to know what it's specifically going to do until the time it's passed," said Patricia Pitkus Bainbridge, director of the Rockford Diocese's Respect Life Office.
"But there's not doubt," she said, "if FOCA passes, the impact's going to be felt by Catholic hospitals."
"The question," she said, "is when is it going to pass."
Staff of the bill's original sponsor, Democratic Sen. Barbara Boxer of California, did not return calls about how Catholic hospitals would be affected should the bill be approved.
Boxer originally sponsored the bill in 2004, calling it new federal legislation that will protect a woman's right to choose.
The act states that every woman has the "fundamental right" to choose to bear a child; terminate a pregnancy prior to fetal viability; or terminate it after fetal viability when necessary to protect her life or her health.
The legislation also would prohibit governmental entities from "discriminating" against these rights.
Opponents point to this as proof that Catholic hospitals will be legally obliged to perform abortions.
And that, Pitkus Bainbridge said, would never happen.
The hospitals would close first.
No compromise
Provena Mercy Medical Center in Aurora — the area's only Catholic hospital — would not comment on the issue.
Rather, a hospital official pointed to a November statement made by the Catholic Health Association and said Provena Mercy shares the same position.
"We have many examples in this country of how to respond to unjust laws, and we have learned from them," stated Sister Carol Keehan, the Catholic Health Association's president and chief executive officer.
"We will protect Catholic health care in this country," she said, "without compromising our position on abortion."
Still, fears of Catholic hospitals shutting their doors and doctors searching for jobs, among other concerns, have swept through Catholic churches in the Fox Valley and across the country.
More than 250 groups dedicated to this topic have sprung up on the social networking Web site Facebook, featuring names like "9 Days of Prayer to Stop FOCA" and "People who are pro Freedom of Choice Act."
Catholics are gathering signatures for petitions against the bill and they have filled out pre-printed post cards, which were then mailed to their congressmen in Washington, D.C.
The latter was part of a campaign coordinated by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops to make legislators aware of the opposition.
Parishioners at Our Lady of Good Counsel in Aurora turned in nearly 1,000 post cards, said Emily McElroy Holmstrom, the church's pro-life coordinator.
Obama in favor
There is speculation over whether the bill will ever actually make it to Obama's desk.
But if it does, FOCA opponents note that Obama has publicly announced his support for the act.
In response to an audience question about how he would ensure access to abortion during a 2007 Planned Parenthood event, Obama said to applause, "The first thing I would do as president is sign the Freedom of Choice Act."
This is all the more reason, opponents say, to bolster campaigns raising awareness about the bill and lobbying against it.
"This is one of the things he (Obama) wants to get passed right away," said McElroy Holmstrom.
"I think if it gets to him," she said, "we're in trouble."
Until then, Catholic leaders are monitoring the legislation and remaining vigilant about raising awareness of the bill.
And if it turns out that the legislation will force the hospitals to perform abortions, "they're not going to do it," Pitkus Bainbridge said.
No, they won't.
Yesterday, our Monsignor read a statement (and focused his homily on) the fact that there is no balance between Obama's stand on abortion and "social justice" issues, and that the USCB confused people with their release. he also urged all Catholics who voted for the zero to go to confession, and start working against Bam's pro-death stance.
If it passes, they need to follow through on this threat. And if Pelosi or any other Catholic votes for it, publicly and explicitly excommunicate them.
“force Catholic hospitals to perform abortions or go out of business. Either one is OK with liberals.”
Yep, liberals would be happy with either.
Americans Upset Obama Reversed Pro-Life Policy on Abortion Funding
FDA approves first human embryonic stem cell safety trial (3 days after Pres. Bush left)
Targeting Children – Born and Unborn
Would you be willing to write a letter to the editor to stop the Freedom of Choice Act (FOCA)? Catholic hospitals fight abortion bill
Leading Vatican Prelate Says USCCB Document Partly to Blame for Election of Obama (Archbishop Raymond Burke)
Abortion Foes Warn Of Hospital Closures
Obama Administration, Vatican Clash Over Abortion
Vatican Prelate Says Document of US Bishops Partly to Blame for Election of “Most Pro-Abortion Pres” (Archbishop Raymond Burke
Bishop Hermann: 'I thought you should know’
Think Obama's Plans Will Reduce Abortion? "This is Delusional" Says Princeton Prof
St. Louis bishop: Lax Catholics, Satan behind pro-abortion officials
Phill Kline: Lincoln's Legacy Was Ending Slavery, Obama's Could be Promoting Abortions
Obama Tells Democrats to Drop Planned Parenthood Stimulus Funds After Outrage
Pelosi: Babies are a problem, so we're going to pay to kill them
Obama Pledges to Fund Pro-Abortion UNFPA After Killing Mexico City Policy
Is there no one single Catholic bishop in the US willing to stand up for the truth?
Catholic CAUCUS (vanity). FOCA Postcard Campaign: is your parish involved and what's the response?
Abortion: Obama's holy war
White House promoting 'anti-Christian' policies?
Obama changes policy on abortion (& fires (gay) Bush-era global aids coord)
Obama lifts restrictions on abortion funding
House Republicans ask Obama to disavow ‘FOCA agenda’
Obama to reverse abortion policy
Prelate (Archbishop Chaput) Urges US Catholics to United Voice
Pro-life Obama Ad Viewed over 250,000 Times in Three Days
Barack Obama Postpones Decision to Send Tax Dollars Overseas for Abortion
It's Official: Obama Will Fund Foreign Abortions
Obama to Lift Ban on Funding for Groups Providing Abortions Overseas (Mexico City Policy/Alan Keyes]
Pope Benedict Gently Encourages Obama to Respect Life After Inauguration Day
Obama’s abortion burden
White House Web Site Becomes Pro-Abortion After Obama Takeover (Within 5 minutes)
Norma McCorvey, Former Roe, Records New Television Commercial on Abortion
Cardinal George writes to President-elect Obama
Sources: Obama may quickly reverse abortion policy (Hey America, you just elected a baby killer!)
Obama Officials Confirm He Will Fund Foreign Abortions Starting Wednesday
Martin Luther King would not have voted for Barak Obama.
President Barack Obama's Pro-Abortion Record: A Pro-Life Compilation
The Coming Anti-Life Onslaught: Obama's Abortion Agenda at Home and Abroad
"A pervasive web of falsehood" ( Pepperdine Prof. confronts Catholic bloggers on abortion & Obama )
Douglas Kmiec Blasts Pro-Life Advocates For Criticizing His Pro-Obama Position
Prof. Kmiec accuses ‘right wing’ Catholic bloggers of character assassination
U.S. Bishops Launch Campaign Against FOCA
Second Black Pro-Life Leader Urges Barack Obama to Oppose Abortion (Dr. Alveda King)
Cardinal George Warns Catholic Members of Congress About FOCA
Barack and the bishops (the coming confrontation with the Catholic church)
Abortion industry asks Obama for billions in funding
Abortion, A Doctor's Conscience and Obama's Lack of Campaign Commitment (Weyrich's Final Column)
Faith-Based Hospitals Could Close If Obama Signs Freedom of Choice Act
nate Filibuster Sought to Prevent Obama's Abortion Industry Bailout Plans
Bella Babies: Lives Saved
Obama's Abortion Socialism
Dr. Alveda King stumps for Pro-life
Feminists for Life Rolling Out College Pro-Life Videos
FOCA remains a threat, Russell Shaw warns
Abortion Foes Open a New Front
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 Kmiec’s 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: Obama’s 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
CNN’s 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]
A lot of other people voted for Obama — not just Catholics.
Those numbers proved wrong. The Catholic percentage was really only 48 percent. It was posted on FR and I don’t remember the name of the article. Those are early numbers and were not accurate.
BTW, Catholics did NOT vote for Obama, only CINOs did.
You're right, but this article is about Catholics and it seems to me, it would be hard for a Catholic (or any Christian) to justify an Obama vote.
A lot of other people voted for Obama — not just Catholics.
Including the evangelicals, check our sojourners.
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.