Catholic pastors directed to distribute anti-health reform materials at mass [View All]

[Ian David]

Source: The Colorado Independent

This past weekend the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops instructed pastors at parishes across the country to distribute material urging Catholics to oppose the health reform bills making their way through Congress for allowing public funding of abortions. Priests were to insert the Bishops Conference pdf leaflets and letters into parish news bulletins, distribute them at church doors or place them in pews. They were also directed to read a statement at mass to reinforce the message.

he Conference of bishops reportedly sent the orders out last Thursday, the same day Speaker Nancy Pelosi presented the mammoth 2,000-page House reform bill to lawmakers and the public.

The material explains that the Catholic Church supports reform that will “protect the life and dignity of all people from the moment of conception until natural death.”

The insert contains phone numbers and web addresses at which constituents can contact their Representatives.

CNSNews reports that the Catholic Church has a “major stake” in the legislation:

A little over 100 million Americans are treated through Catholic hospitals and health centers. There are 624 Catholic hospitals in America. Also, 11 of the nation’s 40 largest health care systems are Catholic, such as Ascension Health, Catholic Health Initatives{sic} and Trinity Health.





Read more: http://coloradoindependent.com/41285/catholic-pastors-directed-to-distribute-anti-health-reform-materials-at-mass

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See also:

Priests being told to preach against Healthcare reform
by wade norris
Tue Nov 03, 2009 at 11:25:35 AM PST

The US Catholic Conference of Bishops is telling priests to oppose health care reform in upcoming weekly masses with both leaflets and in sermons - by saying that it will provide for abortions.
This is a lie and a shame for all Catholics and people who view providing basic health care to the 47 million without health care in the US a moral obligation.

As President Obama stated in his address to Congress, the health care bill does not provide money for abortions.

<snip>

WASHINGTON -- Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius pledged Sunday that President Barack Obama will support barring public funding for abortion in any health care overhaul legislation.

<snip>


at 1:45 in the video - the President says it will not fund abortions
http://www.youtube.com/v/foOioaQf-c8&hl=en&fs=1&

Oddly enough, the Catholic statement instructing Priests on how to discuss this issue in the Mass also criticizes the Bill for not providing health care for immigrants - a point Republicans have been very critical of, as when Joe Wilson shouted 'You Lie' to the President.

More:
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2009/11/3/800079/-Priests-being-told-to-preach-against-Healthcare-reform-


Hat-tip to: http://twitter.com/sarahlee310/statuses/5400513464