Posted on 02/10/2012 4:07:25 PM PST by Mrs. Don-o
When ...the Obama administration finally announced its decision to require religiously affiliated [organizations] to cover birth control in their insurance plans, the nations Roman Catholic bishops were fully prepared for battle.
Seven months earlier, they had started laying the groundwork for a major new campaign ... But the birth control mandate, issued on Jan. 20, was their Pearl Harbor.
Hours after President Obama phoned to share his decision with Archbishop Timothy M. Dolan of New York ...the USCCB posted on its Web site a video of Archbishop Dolan, which had been recorded the day before. Never before, Archbishop Dolan said, setting the tone, has the federal government forced individuals and organizations to go out into the marketplace and buy a product that violates their conscience .
But Catholics may be persuaded by the argument that the mandate is a violation of religious liberty. [S]everal prominent Catholic Democrats who supported Mr. Obama in 2008... have broken with him on the birth control mandate.
Michael Sean Winters, a writer for National Catholic Reporter, a liberal independent weekly, said: I think they misjudged that no matter what people think about contraception, thats an internal Catholic debate. Catholics do not like interlopers.
Douglas W. Kmiec, who served as ambassador to Malta under Mr. Obama and is now a professor of constitutional law at Pepperdine University, said he was disappointed that such a divisive course was chosen by a president who urged respect for others religious traditions. For people attracted to him for those reasons, who applaud the very passage of the health care law, we are just sort of baffled by this, Mr. Kmiec said. Especially when the train wreck was foreseen, and we kept saying, Not this track, not this track. And here came the train and ran us all over.
(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...
Or (to change the metaphor) are their finally putting away the checker board and learning to play chess
Oremus.
Still don't understand it.
How utterly stupid of them.
BTTTRFL
Wish there was a way to set a reminder to read this. I’m on my phone in Utah and can read full article right now.
Many things I would call it. "Interloping" is not among them.
It is my opinion that the Bishops should continue their battle. Obama is using smoke, mirrors and bs.
Many things one might be; just-sort-of-baffled should not be among them.
The Bishops should wake up. He didn’t fix anything. They still would have to provide the service against their will even though its paid for by insurance companies.
Obama is killing himself laughing. Now birth control and morning after pills are an entitlements, and a free one. This genie is never going back into the bottle.
I wouldn`t expect this to be a major political problem for 0bama. With “American Idol” back on the tube, most Americans aren`t even paying attention to the issue, and among those who are, at least half (if reflective of national poll #s) are going to support 0bama`s stance anyway.
Come November, this will all be long forgotten.
The bishops just needed a minor CYA and it appears they got it. Now it`s back to defending 0bama`s social justice agenda.
I doubt many Catholics are fooled by this Marxist Demon.
We`ll see. IIRC, the RC leadership seemed quite happy with Obamacare and Cap & Tax.
“For people attracted to him for those reasons, who applaud the very passage of the health care law, we are just sort of baffled by this, Mr. Kmiec said. Especially when the train wreck was foreseen, and we kept saying, Not this track, not this track. And here came the train and ran us all over.
For those that recall kemic and how we were baffled at his support of Obama it is interesting to see that he still is Baffled. I know Doug (I have eaten lunch with both he and his wife, my guess is none of you have) . The man’s mind is beyond brilliant in terms of Constitutional law.... DONT EVEN SCOFF believe me.... BUT HERE IS MY POINT. You can be a freaking off the chart brilliant scholar... AND not have wisdom and discernment... THOSE are the qualities we need to pray for in our leaders....
“Mr. Kmiec said. Especially when the train wreck was foreseen” -
The Obama train wreck was not unforeseen, it was predictable for anyone paying attention.
<The Obama HHS 'Compromise' Switches the Tiger for the Lion (Not all Catholics buying Obama's bull)
Hannity on now with Priests, Pastors and Rabbis. Please watch
EDITORIAL: Obamas free abortion pills
U.S. bishops express concerns about Obama mandate accommodation
What Compromise? This Policy Leaves Religious Liberty in Peril and Planned Parenthood Smiling (Albert Mohler Opinion)
a target="_blank" href="http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2845149/posts">Bishops Renew Call To Legislative Action On Religious Liberty
Southern Baptist leader: Obama gave Christians the dismissive back of his hand
Obama's Act of Tyranny
Bishops Were Prepared for Battle Over Birth Control Coverage
Don't Be Deceived! Evil Obama Policy Now Even MORE Evil!
Obamas Contraceptive 'Compromise' Doesn't Pass the Smell Test ("It doesn't change a thing")
Compromise or Accommodation, its still unacceptable. (updated from Catholic Vote)
Pres. Obamas Plan B compromise, Sr. Keehan, and the Magisterium of Nuns
Land Says Obama Mandate Most Anti-Catholic Government Action in 150 Years
Motive, Means and Opportunity: Obamas Assault on Catholics
(Exempt Catholics) Joe Biden, Bill Daley warned of contraceptive backlash
(Tim) Thomas makes second political statement (Stands With Catholics)
Southern Baptist leader: If Obama mandate isnt changed, Christians will go to jail
Over 150 congressional leaders demand repeal of HHS mandate
Boehner vows to overturn Obamas birth control coverage rule
Boehner: Congress to overturn birth control policy if Obama does not reverse course
O'Brien says Archdiocese of Baltimore won't offer birth control coverage
Archbishop of San Francisco says Obama ruling strikes at religious freedom
How Obama Lost the Catholic Vote
I am going to stick with fellow Catholics in Pres. Obamas war on Catholics. Wherein Fr. Z rants.
Unholy War
Six Things Everyone Should Know about the HHS Mandate
Santorum: Obama Hostile to Christians
Understanding Oppostion to the HHS Mandate (Part 1): Why the Church Wont Pay for Contracept
The Bishops Chickens Coming Home to Roost.
65 Orthodox Church bishops call on Obama to rescind the unjust contraception mandate
Doug Kmiec Writes Obama: 'Friendship Will Not Permit Me to Disregard Duty to Faith and Country'
Catholic Outcry Over Obama Administration's Birth Control Decision Could Factor In Presidential Race
Standing with the Bishops [Catholic Caucus]
Updated: *167* Bishops (More Than 90% of Dioceses) Have Spoken Out Against Obama/HHS Mandate
Outrage!
Military Tells Chaplains What They Can and Cant Say About HHS/ObamaAssault on Religion
Updated: *153* Bishops (Over 80% of Dioceses) Have Spoken Out Against Obama/HHS Mandate
An Affront Catholics Agree On [Liberal and Conservative Catholics Against Obama Mandate]
Army Silenced Chaplains Last Sunday
Catholic Military Archdiocese & Chaplains interfered with last Sunday by Pres. Obamas Admin
The Anti-Catholic President v. the Catholic Bishops
Sen. Rubio introduces bill to reverse Obama birth control mandate
Churches balk at birth control rule - Catholics wont comply, Bishop Kevin Rhoades says
Protestants and Jews declare to White House: We stand with Catholics
Checking the Air Outside [Bp. Zubik's follow up to Obama's To Hell with You]
Mohler [Southern Baptist] Says Insurance Mandate Not Just 'Catholic' Issue
An Open Letter to President Barack Obama Concerning Recent Tyranny (With Pictures!)
Lincoln bishop: prepare for 'suffering' under HHS mandate
Bishop David Zubik confronts Obama
Obamas war on the church
Pope hits out at 'radical secularism'
We Will Not Comply: Catholic Leaders Distribute Letter Slamming Obama Admin Contraceptive Mandate
We Will Not Comply: Catholic Leaders Distribute Letter Slamming Obama Admin Contraceptive Mandate
Bruskewitz: Fight Insurance Ruling [Sebelius a "bitter, fallen away Catholic"]
Letter from Archbishop John G. Vlazny on the matter of freedom of conscience and decisions by HHS
Bishop Olmsted's Letter to Catholics [Catholic Caucus]
Liberty for the Amish & Quakers but not Catholics. . .
Contraception mandate prompts Peoria bishop to instate St. Michael Prayer (Catholic Caucus)
Phoenix bishop (Olmstead): defy feds on birth control
A letter from Archbishop Dennis M. Schnurr concerning HHS edict
Speak honestly: abortion is the killing of tiny human beings in the womb Denver bishop
Bishop [Daniel Jenky] Blasts Secularist Intolerance, Calls For Assertive Action to Defend Church
(Pittsburgh Bishop Zubik comments:) HHS delays rule on contraceptive coverage
Dolan: Natural law, not religious preference, dictates all life sacred
Religious leaders blast HHS over contraception mandate
Mandated Contraception, Sterilization: Caesar Demands Church Violate Conscience
OBAMAS CONTEMPT FOR RELIGIOUS LIBERTY (mandates coverage of sterilization & contraception)
Implications of Obama Admin move to force Cath hospitals to provide contraception and sterilizations
Catholic doctors group launches petition against contraception mandate
Contraception mandate tramples religious freedom, US bishops say
When 95 percent of the U. S. dioceses and their bishops speak out against Obama — I don’t think it stupid of them.
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