Yearly Archives: 2021

U.S. Bishop Chairmen Statement on Abortion Funding in Build Back Better Act

SEPTEMBER 17, 2021  Full Statement:  https://www.usccb.org/news/2021/us-bishop-chairmen-statement-abortion-funding-build-back-better-act

WASHINGTON - On Wednesday, the House Committee on Ways and Means, and the House Committee on Energy and Commerce advanced portions of the reconciliation bill without removing abortion funding provisions or including the Hyde Amendment to prohibit taxpayer funding of abortion. Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann of Kansas City in Kansas, chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) Committee on Pro-Life Activities and Archbishop Paul S. Coakley of Oklahoma City, chairman of the USCCB’s Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development, issued the following statement following markup of the Build Back Better Act by the two House committees.

“Catholic bishops have been strong advocates for proposals at both the federal and state level that ensure all people will have access to affordable healthcare, including Medicaid expansion proposals. We are encouraged by several healthcare provisions in portions of the Build Back Better Act that will improve healthcare coverage for those in need, including enhanced postpartum coverage and other investments to address the high rates of preventable maternal deaths in the United States, expanded access to in-home care for family members, support for the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), and pre-release Medicaid coverage for returning citizens.

“However, the legislative text advanced by the two House committees also funds abortion, the deliberate destruction of our most vulnerable brothers and sisters - those in the womb. This cannot be included. Congress can, and must, turn back from including taxpayer funding of abortion, in the Build Back Better Act. We urge all members of Congress and the Administration to work in good faith to advance important and life-saving healthcare provisions without forcing Americans to pay for the deliberate destruction of unborn human life.”

On September 7, five USCCB chairmen wrote to Congress outlining their priorities for the Fiscal Year 2022 Budget Reconciliation bill. In this letter, the bishops reiterated that if this bill expands taxpayer funding of abortion the USCCB would oppose it.

January 15, 2022 Catholic Conversations: Death With True Dignity

The Finger Lakes Guild of the Catholic Medical Association invites you to attend "Catholic Conversations: Death with True Dignity" either in-person at St. Bernard's School of Theology and Ministry or virtually via Zoom. This special event is geared towards community members, health care providers, hospice workers, and ministers and will highlight Catholic teaching on end-of-life care.

To register, click here

Informational flyer:  click here

Topics will include:

Advance directives
Pain control
Ventilators and morphine use
Hospice vs. hospital vs. home care
And more
Break-out discussion groups by topic interest will occur both on site and via Zoom. Registration is free, but advance registration is required. Reserve your space now!

When: Saturday, January 15th, 2022

Where: St. Bernard's School of Theology and Ministry, 120 French Road, Rochester, NY, 14618, or online via Zoom
Schedule
7:30 AM Mass(in person only)
8:00 AM Registration
8:30 AM Greetings
8:45 AM Catholic Teaching
9:15 AM Advance Directives
9:45 AM Pain/Syx Control
10:15 AM Hospice and CCH
10:45 AM Breakout Session 1
11:45 AM Breakout Session 2
12:45 PM Lunch(in person only)

Taxpayer Funding of Abortion Heading to Senate

Last week, the U.S. House of Representatives voted to repeal the Hyde and Helms Amendments. If the Senate agrees with these repeals, your tax dollars would pay for abortions in the United States and overseas.

We can still stop taxpayer-funded abortion. But we have to fight even harder now. The Senate needs to hear from many, many more people.

So far, over 145,000 people have signed the petition! Think of the impact if everyone who signed the petition got even just one more person to sign it.

Will you help?

Simply copy, paste, and post this text on your social media: Don’t let our government make you pay for the deaths of innocent babies. Sign the petition at www.notaxpayerabortion.com!

U.S. Bishops’ Chairmen Respond to House Vote to Force Taxpayers to Fund Elective Abortions

Secretariat of Pro-Life Activities
News Release:  July 30, 2021

U.S. Bishops’ Chairmen Respond to House Vote to Force Taxpayers to Fund Elective Abortions

WASHINGTON - Today, the House voted 219 to 208 in favor of H.R. 4502, a package of appropriations bills that currently excludes the 46-year-old Hyde Amendment and other longstanding, bipartisan provisions like the Weldon Amendment. Eliminating these provisions would force taxpayers to pay for elective abortions and would have the effect of forcing health care providers and professionals to perform and refer for abortion against their deeply-held beliefs, as well as forcing employers and insurers to cover and pay for abortion.
Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan of New York, chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) Committee for Religious Liberty, and Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann of Kansas City in Kansas, chairman of the USCCB’s Committee on Pro-Life Activities, issued the following statement:
“The House has voted in a way that is completely out of step with the will of the American people who overwhelmingly oppose taxpayer-funded abortion. The Hyde Amendment has saved at least 2.4 million lives since its enactment. Without it, millions of poor women in desperate circumstances will make the irrevocable decision to take the government up on its offer to end the life of their child.
“To be certain, this bill includes provisions that help vulnerable people, including pregnant moms. As we have said before, ‘being “right” in such matters can never excuse a wrong choice regarding direct attacks on innocent human life.’ In truth, ‘the failure to protect and defend life in its most vulnerable stages renders suspect any claims to the “rightness” of positions in other matters affecting the poorest and least powerful of the human community.’[i]
“The injustice in HR 4502 extends to removing conscience protections and exemptions for healthcare providers who believe abortion is wrong, or whose faith drives them to serve and heal lives, instead of taking them.
“Funding the destruction of innocent unborn human lives, and forcing people to kill in violation of their consciences, are grave abuses of human rights. We call on the Senate to redress this evil in H.R. 4502, and for Congress to ultimately pass appropriations bills that fully support and protect human dignity, and the most vulnerable among us.”

 

NYS Catholic Conference 2021 End of Session Round Up

NYS Catholic Conference 2021 End of Session Round Up

The New York Sate Catholic Conference and the Office of Life Issues thanks you for your support of the NYS Catholic Action Network. The 2021 Legislative Session in Albany has adjourned, although lawmakers may return at some point this summer if agreement is reached on certain legislation.

Follow the attached link for updates on legislation of Interest.

https://www.nyscatholic.org/2021-end-of-session-round-up/