Cardinal Raymond Burke, Cardinal Prefect of the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura, has released a message in support of a group of Catholic lay people who are circulating an online petition protesting provisions of regulations released by the Health and Human Services department requiring the provision of birth control and abortifacients at Catholic hospitals. The online petition is found at the website of the St. Gianna Physician's Guild.
The petition has steadily gained momentum, according to the organization, since its launch last August seeing the number of signatures more than double since January 20th. This is after the Department of Health and Human Services released a statement confirming that the mandate would go into effect as scheduled on August 1, 2012. An extension of one year was given to Catholic institutions and other entities to comply. This mandate does not provide a conscience clause for institutions and others who believe contraception and sterilization are immoral.
Stop the Birth Control Mandate petition asks that the Obama Administration and Secretary of Health and Human Services, Kathleen Sebelius, who happens to be a Catholic, withdraw immediately all references to contraception and contraception counseling from the "Guidelines for Women's Preventive Services" under The Affordable Care Act. Moreover, it petitions the administration to provide a conscience clause to protect the religious freedom and beliefs of Catholics.
Cardinal Burke, who once led the Archdiocese of St Louis MO, wrote "I wholeheartedly express my solidarity with the Stop The Birth Control Mandate petition promoted by St. Gianna Physician's Guild protesting the recent decree by the Department of Health and Human Services of our federal government. I encourage Catholics to sign the petition and thus unite their support of Holy Mother Church by protesting the most grievous violation of the right to religious liberty for Catholics in the United States."
"The petition sends a clear message to the Obama Administration that this contraception mandate is wrong, discriminatory and violates the religious rights of Catholics all across America," stated the Guild's President, Thomas McKenna. McKenna noted that already more than 150 Catholic bishops across the country have written letters decrying the mandate. "It is inspiring to see the bishops speaking out with such determination and moral clarity in encouraging the faithful to oppose the mandate. St. Gianna Physician's Guild applauds their leadership," McKenna continued.
The petition has provided Catholics and others a means of registering their opposition and disappointment with President Obama and his administration. The petition was posted on the Archdiocese of Denver's web site and has resulted in parishioners collecting signatures after weekend Masses.
Info: StGiannaPhysicians
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