The Catholic Health Association has released an updated statement on the recent HHS position on a narrow religious exemption for Catholic institutional employers.
Something has to be fixed
By SR. CAROL KEEHAN, DC
CHA president and chief executive officer
CHA and its members were profoundly disappointed to learn that the definition of a religious employer was not going to be broadened in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' rules for preventive services for women.
The impact of being told we do not fit the new definition of a religious employer and therefore cannot operate our ministries following our consciences has jolted us. The contributions of Catholic health care, education and social services to this country's development are legion. They have responded to the needs of all, not just Catholics. They have been delivered by many who do not share our faith, but share our commitment.
From President Thomas Jefferson to President Barack Obama, we have been promised a respect for appropriate religious freedom. The first amendment to our Constitution affirms it. We are a pluralistic country, and it takes respectful dialogue to sort this out fairly. This decision was a missed opportunity.
CHA has expressed concern and disappointment about this on behalf of the ministry. We have said the problem is not resolved, and we must have a national conversation on this. CHA is working closely with the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Catholic Relief Services, Catholic Charities USA, the Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities and others to look at options to resolve this. We will be discussing it at the CHA board meeting on Feb. 8.
I assure you that we will use the time to pursue a correction during the one-year extension. We will give this issue priority and consult with members and experts as we evaluate options to deal with this. Any suggestions, comments or questions are welcome. I promise to keep the membership informed as we move along in this effort. Please keep this important effort in your prayers as well.
NEXT
He ought to listen to her now.
we have been no different than the secular elites. Where will you stand? For life or against life? For the Lord or against Him? For freedom of conscience or against it? Notre Dame's rhetoric rings hollow. He is revealed and even if he gives in, we know his true intentions. He has an agenda: pro abortion, pro contaception, pro gay life-tyle- and it ain'! the Lord's and should not be ours. Let it come and take a stand.
"Catholics are required to have an INFORMED CONSCIENCE. As a catholic one can not cooperate with the evil of abortion! How many poorly catechized catholics will put cheap politics above tha taking of human life?
And thus the election year screeching about whom I am "allowed" to vote for or the opinions am I "allowed" to have and still remain Catholic begins. I had hoped I'd at least get to spring before my annual flood of amatuer excommunications.
Perhaps the groundhog didn't see his shadow....
Any candidate must deal with "the art of the possible" and the pressures therein. Those who may favor the presumptive Republican candidate may have to deal with his "I don't care about the very poor- they have safety net" and somehow justify that to themselves. That is their prerogative also although many of us may find this sentiment- and the policies that mahy result from it- far more appalling.
And use your full name as the rest of us do and as the website manager has requested over and over and over and over and .....