The Obama Administration’s recent move to “accommodate” is a welcomed attempt to remedy a serious infringement upon religious liberty.
However, the latest attempt does not go far enough in truly addressing the serious concerns of religious institutions and individuals of faith share in combating the so-called HHS healthcare mandate.
In reaction to the news, Cardinal Timothy Dolan, president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, suggested: “It appears to offer second-class status to our first-class institutions in Catholic health care, Catholic education, and Catholic charities. HHS offers what it calls an "accommodation," rather than accepting the fact that these ministries are integral to our Church and worthy of the same exemption as our Catholic churches.”
While the latest “accommodation” is to be welcomed, a flawed fix is not truly acceptable and remains objectionable as it continues to undermine religious liberty. We hope the Obama Administration might continue to attempt to fix their misguided policy and begin to truly fulfill its pledge to redress this situation. Until then, the only remedy to restoring and protecting religious liberty remains to be found in the American legal system.
We urge the USCCB and all people of conscience to remain steadfast in seeking an authentic solution to the Obama Administration’s oppressive attacks upon religious liberty. Half-hearted fixes can never be acceptable if religious liberty is to truly be respected in our nation.
