First they came for the Catholics...

It is time that all sects of Christianity and Jews alike stand with the Catholic. After much debate in this ongoing battle, since the passing of Obamacare, the administration has decided to make only one concession - "give em' a year."

“In effect, the president is saying we have a year to figure out how to violate our consciences,” said Cardinal-designate Timothy M. Dolan, archbishop of New York and president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

This is what happens, this is the real life, tangible "slippery slope" effect. Millions of Catholics voted for Obama. Millions still, supported Obamacare. Legislation that at its' core was/is the "individual mandate." For the first time in American history it became law that I go purchase a product based on my having been born. Obama took the FDR ball of perverting the Interstate Commerce Clause and ran with it by arguing I - F. Ryan - am effecting commerce by NOT participating. Now its a step further, the slope angle increases ...

"The HHS rule requires that sterilization and contraception — including controversial abortifacients — be included among “preventive services” coverage in almost every healthcare plan available to Americans ... AP reports, Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius conceded that nonprofit institutions such as church-affiliated hospitals, colleges and social service agencies will have one additional year to comply with the requirement, issued in regulations under President Barack Obama’s health care overhaul."

They are giving Catholic Hospitals (most prominently) one year to start offering contraception services. And as Bill Donahue, head of the Catholic League stated yesterday, "Make no mistake. This is the nose of the camel. Their intention is to eventually require all hospitals and all health programs operating under Church affiliation to cover and provide for abortions."

The Church has drawn a line in the sand ... they will fight, and we should fight with them.

“Never before has the federal government forced individuals and organizations to go out into the marketplace and buy a product that violates their conscience,” said Cardinal-designate Dolan. “This shouldn’t happen in a land where free exercise of religion ranks first in the Bill of Rights.” He added, "The government should not force Americans to act as if pregnancy is a disease to be prevented at all costs.”

You can read the entire story HERE.

This is added to a SCOTUS descion in recent weeks on "Ministerial Exception." It was upheld in a 9-0 ruling. The long and short of it is the administration wanted to remove the exception which would allow, for example, the DOJ to go after the Catholic Church for discrimination against women for not allowing females to become priests.

I'm curious, Notre Dame. Are you guys regretting the award you gave the President now? Those Catholics who came out in favor of his health care plan, the Bishops whom are now "furious" (says the story), do you realize now that this guy is not your friend? That "making nice" with him doesn't work? That giving him awards doesn't abate his agenda? Get the picture NOW? I'm with you, make no mistake. I'm just sad that it took this long for you to realize that getting along with this man is not an option - he must be defeated.

The Catholic Bishops in America went even a step further this weekend, issuing a letter that from what I understand was to be read in every Parish across the nation (I'm curious if the two alter boys here had it read at their service). You can read a story about the unusually strong letter HERE. And although each Bishop personalized it slightly in their own way, I wanted it on "Bund Record." The following is from the Bishop of Marquette (Michigan):

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

I write to you concerning an alarming and serious matter that negatively impacts the Church in the United States directly, and that strikes at the fundamental right to religious liberty for all citizens of any faith. The federal government, which claims to be “of, by, and for the people,” has just dealt a heavy blow to almost a quarter of those people — the Catholic population — and to the millions more who are served by the Catholic faithful.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced last week that almost all employers, including Catholic employers, will be forced to offer their employees’ health coverage that includes sterilization, abortion-inducing drugs, and contraception. Almost all health insurers will be forced to include those “services” in the health policies they write. And almost all individuals will be forced to buy that coverage as a part of their policies.

In so ruling, the Obama Administration has cast aside the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States, denying to Catholics our Nation’s first and most fundamental freedom, that of religious liberty. And as a result, unless the rule is overturned, we Catholics will be compelled to either violate our consciences, or to drop health coverage for our employees (and suffer the penalties for doing so). The Obama Administration’s sole concession was to give our institutions one year to comply.

We cannot—we will not—comply with this unjust law. People of faith cannot be made second class citizens. We are already joined by our brothers and sisters of all faiths and many others of good will in this important effort to regain our religious freedom. Our parents and grandparents did not come to these shores to help build America’s cities and towns, its infrastructure and institutions, its enterprise and culture, only to have their posterity stripped of their God given rights. In generations past, the Church has always been able to count on the faithful to stand up and protect her sacred rights and duties. I hope and trust she can count on this generation of Catholics to do the same. Our children and grandchildren deserve nothing less.

And therefore, I would ask of you two things. First, as a community of faith we must commit ourselves to prayer and fasting that wisdom and justice may prevail, and religious liberty may be restored. Without God, we can do nothing; with God, nothing is impossible. Second, I would also recommend visiting usccb.org to learn more about this severe assault on religious liberty, and how to contact Congress in support of legislation that would reverse the Obama Administration’s decision.

Sincerely yours in Christ,
Bishop of Marquette

As I said, it's time to stand.