March 14 Update on Religious Liberty
In a March 14 Statement, the USCCB first thanked all who have stood with the Catholic Church to uphold religious liberty and have sought to clarify both what is - and is not - at issue; and to identify our game plan.
It's NOT about...:
- access to contraception, which is ubiquitous and inexpensive, even when it is not provided by the Church's hand and with the Church's funds.
- Catholics only, but also of those who recognize that their cherished beliefs may be next on the block.
- Bishops' somehow "banning contraception," when the U.S. Supreme Court took that issue off the table two generations ago.
- the Church wanting to force anybody to do anything.
- a matter of opposition to universal health care, which has been a concern of the Bishops' Conference since 1919, virtually at its founding.
- a fight we want or asked for, but one forced upon us by government on its own timing.
It IS about...:
- the federal government forcing the Church—consisting of its faithful and all but a few of its institutions—to act against Church teachings.
- an American issue; not a Republican or Democratic, a conservative or liberal issue.
- a mandate to act against our teachings.
- a violation of personal civil rights.
Our Next Steps:
- education and public advocacy on the principles of religious liberty and their application,
- continue to pursue legislation,
- continue to explore our options for relief from the courts.
Source: March 14, 2012 http://www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/religious-liberty/march-14-statem...