16 Catholic Senators Reject Conscience Clause

16 Catholic Senators Reject Conscience Clause
In pursuit of the truth – www.cinopsbegone.com – Monday, April 6, 2009

Thank you, Lisa Correnti for the information that follows; and as Founder and Director of www.onenationundergod.org /cta_coburn_conscience_clause.html – 4/5/2009

Senator Coburn proposed an amendment to the budget bill that would keep the conscience clause in place and give health care workers protection from having to perform professional duties that violate their religious freedom, like abortions. Only 9 Catholic Senators Support –16 Reject.

16 Catholic Senators Reject Conscience Protection After Bishops Call For Support:

Yesterday, pro-life Senator Tom Coburn (R-Ok) offered an amendment to the budget bill that would protect the conscience for health care workers, which is currently under review and may be rescinded by President Obama.
The Coburn amendment stated, “To protect the freedom of conscience for patients and the right of health care providers to serve patients without violating their moral & religious convictions.”

The amendment was rejected 41-56. Sixteen Catholic Senators failed to recognize the importance of this regulation which would guarantee the rights of conscience for all Americans.
Without the protection of the conscience clause many people with religious beliefs will be forced to take part in professional duties that compromise their moral convictions.

Last month, Bishop William F. Murphy, chairman of the Committee on Domestic, Justice and Human Development of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), responded to the Obama administrations announcement of their intent to remove the HHS protections.
Taking aback the regulations “raises a real issue, because the statutes are intended to protect human rights – rights of conscience and rights of freedom of religion,” Bishop Murphy said. “So why should everyone be concerned about this? Because if one person’s rights can be compromised, everybody’s rights can be compromised.”… “The lay men and women of our churches, of our parishes across the country have to be the voices* of the Catholic Church today….”

Washington Archbishop Donald W. Wuerl also urged Catholics to take action and make their voices heard. Speaking to the John Carroll Society on March 22, CNS reported the Archbishop stating, “If a federal regulation protecting the conscience rights of health care providers is revoked, Catholic doctors, nurses and others may be required to participate in abortion or other procedures that violate their moral or religious principles.”

Apparently some Catholic lawmakers do not see this is a violation of one’s religious freedom. Do they believe one’s right to obtain a chemical or surgical abortion trumps the rights of all others? It is time these Catholic Senators hear from the bishops. The 9 Catholic Senators voting to support the Coburn amendment were: Murkowski (R-Ak),Risch (R-ID), Brownbeck (R-KS), Bunning (R-KY), Vitter(R-LA), Johanns (R-NE), Voinovich(R-OH, and Casey (D-PA).

The sixteen Catholic Senators opposing the Coburn amendment are: Begich (D-AK), Dodd (D-CT), Kaufman (D-CT), Durbin (D-IL), Harkin (D-IA),
Landrieu (D-LA), Collins (R-ME), Mikulski (D-MD), Kerry (D-MA), McCaskill (D-MO),
Menedez (D-NJ), Gillbrand (D-NY), Reed (D-RI), Leahy (D-VT), Cantwell (D-WA),
Murray (D-WA), Senator Kennedy did not vote.

Calling All Catholics: It is our duty as Catholic constituents to hold our elected officials responsible. Please contact these Catholic Senators. Express your disappointment with their failure to protect religious freedom for all Americans. Please also contact their local ordinary. It is the duty of the local ordinary to seek counsel with these lawmakers so they clearly understand the social teaching of the Church. (THE ABOVE IS UNBELIEVABLE, BUT THAT’S THE REALITY.)

George H. Kubeck, Please mail this letter to all U.S.Catholic bishops for personal and public action.