Bishop Amos/ICC Statements
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The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
(HHS) announced January 20th
that almost all employers, including Catholic employers, will be forced
to offer their employees health coverage that
includes sterilization, abortion-inducing drugs and contraception.
Almost all health insurers will be forced to include those
“services” in the health policies they write.
And almost all individuals will be forced to buy that coverage as
a part of their policies.
| Statement in English (Jan, 2012) | Statement in Spanish (Jan, 2012) |
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Iowa Catholic Conference Statements: |
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| Iowa Catholic bishops send letter to congressional delegation on HHS mandate (Feb, 2012) | Letter to Catholics to protect religious freedom (Mar, 2012) |
Video A Message to Secular Franciscans from Kent Ferris and Bishop Amos about the HHS Mandate |
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Catholic bishops issue call to defend religious liberty
The United States Catholic bishops have issued a call to action this morning (April 12, 2012) to defend religious liberty and urged laity to work to protect the First Freedom of the Bill of Rights. They outlined their position in “Our First, Most Cherished Freedom.”
The bishops called for “A Fortnight for Freedom,” the two-week period from June 21 to July 4 - beginning with the feasts of St. Thomas More and St. John Fisher and ending with Independence Day - to focus “all the energies the Catholic community can muster” for religious liberty.
The document can be found at www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/religious-liberty/our-first-most-cherished-liberty.cfm
.US Bishops Launch Nationwide Call to Prayer for Religious Liberty:
Join USCCB in a nationwide campaign for the protection of Religious Freedom. Please click here to view Conscience Protection prayer resources.
The prayer cards (English and Spanish) are now electronically available to be downloaded and printed. Prayer cards will soon be available to be order and ship in early April. Click here to order
Latest USCCB News/Press Releases:
| March 1, 2012 |
Senate vote to set aside conscience act marks change to build bipartisan
support, seek judicial remedies for religious freedom.
The Senate’s 51-48 vote March 1 to table the bipartisan Respect for Rights of Conscience Act (S. 1467), sponsored by Senator Roy Blunt (R-MO) and 37 other senators, impels the Church to strengthen its resolve to support religious freedom. More... |
| February 28, 2012 |
HHS Mandate Creates Absurd Results, Bishop Lori Tells House
Judiciary Committee. The Department of Health and Human Services mandate that would force virtually all employers to pay for sterilization and contraceptives, including abortion-inducing drugs to employees has “absurd consequences,” Bishop William E. Lori said February 28. More... |
| February 10, 2012 | Bishops Renew Call to Legislative Action on Religious Freedom |
Below you bulletin inserts that attempt to clarify questions about the Administration’s announcement on Friday, Feb. 10 in regard to the Health and Human Services mandate. They are also intended to encourage people to support a legislative solution to some of the unresolved issues. Bulletins are available in both English and Spanish, in PDF and MSWord.
| HHS Mandate Bulletin (English-PDF) Feb, 2012 | HHS Mandate Bulletin (Spanish -PDF) Feb, 2012 |
| HHS Mandate Bulletin (English -Word) Feb, 2012 | HHS Mandate Bulletin (Spanish -Word) Feb, 2012 |
| USCCB Conscience Protection | USCCB Blog |
| Six More Things Everyone Should Know About HHS Mandate. |
CNA (Catholic News Agency) |
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The National Catholic Bioethics Center |
NCHLA (National Committee for a Human Life Amendment). |
Testimony of Most Reverend William E. Lori Bishop of Bridgeport:
Chair of the US bishops’ Ad Hoc Committee on Religious Liberty
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Capitol switchboard Phone: 202-224-3121 |
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| U.S. House of Representatives U.S. Senate The White House | |
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Senator
Chuck Grassley Republican U.S. Senate 135 Hart Senate Office Building Washington, DC 205100001 Phone: 202-224-3744 Fax: 202-224-6020 |
Senator Tom
Harkins
Phone:
202-224-3254 |
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530 - 42nd Street
Phone: 515-243-6256 |
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Local News:
Iowa bishops ask congressmen to support conscience rights bill
Published:
Thursday, February 23, 2012 10:26 AM
CST
In response to a recent federal Health and Human Services Department
mandate, the Catholic bishops of Iowa have sent a letter to members of
Iowa’s congressional delegation urging co-sponsorship of the Respect for
Rights of Conscience Act (H.R. 1179, S. 1467).
The HHS mandate will require almost all religious organizations to pay
for sterilization and contraceptive coverage (including drugs which can
cause abortions) in their health insurance plans for employees. The
exemption provided for religious employers is so narrow it fails to
cover the vast majority of faith-based organizations that help millions.
More...
Chancery Address: 780 West Central Park Ave., Davenport, Iowa 52804-1901
Phone: 563-324-1911 Email: communication@davenportdiocese.org
© Diocese of Davenport 2011
