Health Care: Bishops vs. Nuns
catholicvoteaction.org: 18:05 17-03-2010Health Care: Bishops vs. Nuns
At the 11th hour of the health care battle, liberal religious sisters are splitting from the bishops of the United States and are openly lobbying for Congress to pass the anti-life legislation that is currently being consider. In the words of Archbishop Chaput, Don’t be misled.
There is an avalanche of statements being published on both “Catholic” sides of this issue, so I will only have time to fact-check and refute two important trends. In the meantime, see this post where a friend of mine explains, in less than 150 words, why Catholics must opposed this current legislation.
This is the lie that Sister Carol Keehan (head of the Catholic Health Association) is telling bishops and representatives in Congress:
“I need to tell you that the information about our position [in your blog] is incorrect. I know that it is what Cardinal George’s statement says but that is not our position. We believe that the Senate bill as written now, meets the test of no federal funding for abortion. We said that we wanted that preserved in the reconciliation bill not fixed. That is a misrepresentation of our position. We would not have taken the position we took if we were hoping for a fix. It had to be already in place and it is. Many legal scholars, the ABC News “Fact Check” also same the same thing. The provisions were negotiated by Senators Casey and Nelson, two of the most ardent pro-lifers out there.”
[The bishop also cites Rep. Thomas Periello's support of the language, calling him a "conservative pro-life Catholic."]
My response:
- Every reputable pro-life organization opposes the Senate language on abortion. “ABC” and “legal scholars” (none of them mentioned) are not reliable authorities – the combined research of the USCCB, National Right to Life Committee, pro-life organizations and dozens of knowledgeable bishops is.
- If Sister Keehan believes the “fix” is already in when it comes to abortion funding, why in CHA’s own letter to congress, do they ask for a “corretions bill” to be included to fix, among other things, this problem: “The bill should ensure that the final, overall health reform package will provide no federal funding for abortion.” This is clear proof that CHA knows the current bill is flawed! Cardinal George was right, and Sister Keehan is entirely banking on the hope that no one fact-checks her!
- Senators Casey and Nelson as pro-life examples?! Nelson not only caved, he betrayed his pro-life organization back home after accepting a $100 million pay-off for his home state. It is ludicrous to suggest that because they signed off on the language, we conscientious Catholics should! And Tom Perriello pro-life? Please – get the facts.
Second, Bryan Cones at U.S. Catholic – who loves stoking dissent against Church authority and confusing Catholics, blogs this today:
One wonders which group has more clout: bishops or sisters? Given that the sisters provide the lion’s share of health care–few dioceses run their own hospitals–many would vote for the sisters. They certainly have a deeper well of goodwill to draw upon.
Cones asks the wrong question – the question is not “who has more clout?” (this is not a power game), the question is “who has more authority?” That’s an easy one: bishops are shepherds of the Church, and their united prudential conclusion on this issue which effects thousands of unborn and post-born lives is this: Catholics cannot support the current legislation.
Cones’ claims about “who runs the hospitals” is also deeply misleading. Most Catholic hospitals have local bishops on their governing board. Most Catholic hospitals rely in part on the funds raised from Catholic bishops and their dioceses. Catholic hospitals retain their Catholic identity from their relationship with the local bishop, the shepherd of the local Church.
Papists, power and “good will” are not the source of Catholic authority – it is the grace given by Christ to bishops of the Church to lead the Church, especially in tough and confusing times.
Once again, Do not be mislead. Read these words from Archbishop Chaput, these words from Cardinal George, and my own humble summary offered which explains the Catholic case against this anti-life reform, and take action based on these sources of Episcopal and prudential guidance.
If my choice is between bishops who, wanting health care reform, cannot condone this health care reform, and liberal nuns, who wanting health care reform, will oppose bishops and lie about their actions to get it, I know where I would stand.
I would stand with the bishops against this anti-life bill.
