Our Fragile Religious Liberty

There has been a great deal made of the United States Department of Health and Human Service’s new policy mandating that artificial contraception, including those that can serve as an abortifacient, be covered in all employee health plans.  This policy covers all employee health plans, including those of religiously affiliated schools, hospitals and social service agencies.   The bishops have spoken out on it, especially Cardinal Designate Timothy Dolan.  On January 31 Senator Marco Rubio (R) of Florida introduced a bill to overturn the policy, which is connected to the so called “Obamacare” legislation that is being phased in over the next couple of years.  Admittedly there is heated rhetoric on both sides (one Catholic site I saw said that the administration is “at war” with the Church, while some left leaning sites are saying the Church is trying to “take away women’s reproductive freedom”).  I like to stay cool, calm and collected on these things, but it’s getting tougher and tougher.  It is hard for me to come to any other conclusion than that, while we may not be at war, we Catholics are the victims of a quiet persecution.  The beauty of it, from the persecutor’s stand point, is that they are starting with an issue they can easily gain public sympathy with, even among Catholics.

The sad truth is that most Catholics have gone right along with the popular culture when it comes to the Pill and other forms of artificial contraception.  Studies have shown that we contracept at the same rate as non-Catholics.   Pope Paul VI warned in 1968 that the widespread use of artificial contraception would increase the demand, availability and frequency of abortion, increase divorce rates and promote the objectification of women.  In spite of the fact that abortion in now the law of the land, protected as a constitutional right, the precipitous increase in the divorce rate since the 1960’s, the mainstreaming of pornography, along with the prevalence of “gentleman’s clubs,” and the rise of what has been dubbed the “sex trade,” we still refuse to see the folly of the contraceptive culture we have fostered.  While you may argue the Pill can’t be blamed for these social ills, it’s hard to say that the acceptance of artificial contraceptives prevented these phenomena as the Pope’s committee, whose recommendations he controversially rejected, claimed at the time.    

My point being that, while the bishops are doing the right thing in speaking out, are the faithful concerned?  We have gone along with the flow, and may not see that this policy is leading us down dangerous waters, both as citizens of earth as well as citizens of heaven.  Do we see that if they get away with this there will be other restrictions that they will try to impose upon us, and not just upon Catholics, but upon people of all faiths?   The state legislature in Connecticut already tried a couple of years back to seize control of Catholic parishes, by way of claiming authority over their finance counsels, and even tried claim the right to name pastors.  Thankfully that measure was defeated.  Local and state governments have long tried to force Catholic hospitals to make abortion available.  In 2006 Massachusetts mandated that all adoption agencies must cater to same sex couples, prompting Catholic Charities in the Commonwealth to end their adoption program.  Many dioceses are grappling with whether they should close their hospitals and other social service agencies if the civil authority forces them to go against Church teachings.  One bishop questioned if closing them was enough; should they be torn down so the buildings would not get into the hands of those who would use them for the evil sin of abortion.  Where does it end?  When do we say enough is enough?

One question we need to ask is; can the government prohibit Catholic schools from teaching religion?  It’s been that way in Canada for decades, for schools that participates in any type of government program.  Many of our Catholic schools here in the U.S. participate in textbook loan programs or school lunch programs.  We have programs that allow board of Ed staff to help assess and work with special needs students (if you’ve seen those trailers in the parish parking lot you know what I mean).  Can the government turn around and say that those programs are contingent upon not teaching religion, or that we must teach the glories of “alternate lifestyles” and make contraception available to students and staff?  Considering the present climate why not, and do we care?

There are signs of hope, though.  The Supreme Court recently handed down a unanimous decision defending religious institutions’ right to hire and fire ministers and employees, citing it as an internal church matter covered by the establishment clause of the Constitution, thus exempt from government regulation.  But we can’t always rely of the courts to do the right thing.  Remember; the Supreme Court has at various times upheld slavery, segregation and abortion as being constitutional.  It is a great institution, but far from infallible. It is for us as Catholics to be active citizens and stand up for our rights. But do we care enough to do that?

This is not the last I will write about this: more is coming soon.  And yes, I will keep it light this weekend and give my Super Bowl rundown.