HHS MANDATE AND A FORTNIGHT FOR FREDDOM
As you are aware, since January much attention has been given to efforts to address the very troubling Health and Human Services (HHS) coercive mandate requiring almost all private health plans to cover contraception, sterilization and abortion-inducing drugs. For the first time in our nation’s history, the federal government will force religious institutions to facilitate drugs and procedures contrary to our moral teaching. And it will purport to define which religious institutions are "religious enough" to merit an exemption.
While the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops has had to respond quickly to many urgent situations with the Administration, Congress and the media, we certainly want to be responsive to our people in the pews. As I travel around the archdiocese, clergy and lay people have expressed their alarm regarding the HHS mandate and ask me what more they can do.
The Conference has been working to develop a series of bulletin inserts to address a wide range of issues from our concerns over religious liberty to the Church’s teaching on sexuality and openness to new human life. Some of these will simply be catechetical and others will encourage parishioners to take some needed action. As a reminder, since our desire is to help more people understand the Church’s position on this contentious and unfortunately over-politicized matter, it is important that all of our efforts be conducted in a pastoral and non-partisan manner.
The first bulletin insert is targeted to reach parishes in the late-April to late-May timeframe. The focus is on "Religious Liberty, the "Most Cherished of American Freedoms" and it encourages parishioners to send an email message to HHS, during their limited comment period. As the Conference has done with previous nationwide bulletin inserts related to healthcare reform or the HHS mandate, these will be provided electronically.
It is my understanding that this model has worked well as many parishes have printed these one-page inserts directly into their bulletins. All inserts will be provided in both English and Spanish and can be printed in B&W or color. These resources will be complemented during the year with suggested homily notes, Prayers of the Faithful, and additional prayer resources that continue to be posted on the USCCB website.
On the topic of prayer, I want to express my gratitude for the wonderful response to the nationwide call to prayer, and especially for those of you that have ordered the nationwide prayer cards. Thank you for encouraging your parishioners to participate in this prayer campaign.
Lastly, I want to make you aware that the U.S. Bishops are proposing a "fortnight for freedom," which would take place between June 21 and July 4. It will be an opportunity for us to highlight the importance of our first freedom, that of religious liberty. In addition to the HHS issue, we are gravely concerned that our freedom is being attacked in other arenas as well. For instance, the recently enacted immigration laws in the State of Alabama criminalize efforts of anyone, including Church employees, to offer assistance to undocumented immigrants, including charity or even help in accessing the sacraments. We also must keep in mind that the plight of religious believers, Christians and those of other faiths is a matter of life and death in many places throughout the world. Dioceses and parishes are being encouraged to promote special events, study and prayer at some point during this period to more fully appreciate the human right of religious liberty for everyone, here and everywhere. We will inform you of what resources become available for parishes and what activities may be organized by the archdiocese.
Sincerely yours in Christ,
Most Reverend Dennis M. Schnurr
Archbishop of Cincinnati