Catholic pastors directed to distribute anti-health reform materials at mass

[IndianaGreen]

Catholic pastors directed to distribute anti-health reform materials at mass

By John Tomasic 11/2/09 2:02 PM

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.

The 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 and Trinity Health.

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

[fascisthunter]

1. tax them.... they've meddled in politics too long

and they obviously do not work for a god... they could give a shit about the poor, as long as they submit to the church.

[hobbit709]

2. Tax the churches.

[rurallib]

4. +1 for you both

the major argument for not taxing churches is that they in turn would not meddle in affairs of state. Looks like they refuse to hold up their end of the bargain.

[Historic NY]

3. so is the church going to offer free care...they want to protect the insurance companies.

[bulloney]

5. Then in the next breath, our priest bemoaned the subsidy cuts local Catholic schools stand to face.

That's the problem when the church pigeonholes EVERY election and issue into a referendum on abortion. They get so many people worked up that the Democratic candidate or policy kills babies that they fail to look at the whole spectrum of life and human rights issues. They end up with a slate of ultra-conservatives holding office and they wonder why they face perpetual program cuts.

I get so disgusted when masses become little more than a political rally.

We have tightening budgets in our schools, but hey, we vote pro-life.

[ej510]

6. This is why I am against religion.

[zulchzulu]

7. Take away the tax exempt status of churches that hand out this garbage

If they have a problem with the laws of this land and want to be a political arm of the GOP, they need to be taxed immediately.

No free rides...

[Jeff In Milwaukee]

8. You know that line that 501(c)(3)'s aren't supposed to cross?

Look behind you...

It's one thing to advocate that health care reform in general should not include abortion coverage (since that's a religious issue). It's another thing -- and a wholly illegal thing -- to argue against specific legislation and to include the names and contact information of members of Congress.

This is clearly lobbying.

Put the dogs on them, I say.