To Awaken a Sleeping Giant

We have all heard the expressions “Let Sleeping Dogs Lie” … some of us even follow it as good advice.  But here we have a President, intelligent by anyone’s estimations, choosing the opposite path and deciding to poke Rover during his afternoon siesta.

In this fragile and fractious atmosphere that is America today, there is no reason to pick a fight with the Catholic Church.  But he did!

One might think he has built up such high levels of goodwill that allow him to indulge his ideology anywhere he wants, including religious organizations. He has not!     

Catholics are protesting the presidents signing of a bill put forth by Health and Human Services (HHS) that requires nearly all employers -- even Catholic ones -- who provide insurance to their employees to include coverage of birth control services.  Churches and church-affiliated secondary schools are exempt from the rule, but other organizations with religious affiliations -- including universities, charities, and hospitals -- must comply.  This is not a minor imposition or small infraction. There should be a realization that 1 in 6 Americans utilize the Catholic hospitals and Health Care establishments.  

The Catholic Church in the United States, with 77 million members is the largest single religious denomination in the United States, comprising about 27% of the electorate.  Obama won 54% of the Catholic vote in 2008…  He can ill-afford to turn off such a large contingent of supporters. The administration is treading in dangerous water here. Catholics don’t vote as a straight bloc, but winning the Catholic vote is critical to winning elections.

Catholics also don’t necessarily all agree on every issue. There are plenty of pro-choice voters, who presumably don’t want to follow Catholic teaching.   That is sad and unfortunate!  If they just voted consistent with Biblical and Church beliefs on the sanctity of life question, they could send a strong message to Obama and the legion of Democrats who unequivocally support abortion rights. Of course Obama (or any Democrat) could never harness anywhere near a majority of Evangelicals, period.  He received a meager 25% in the 2008 election.  Presumably, this fact alone would cause the Administration to avoid riling up the Catholic masses (no pun intended).  And to throw salt on the wound, many Catholics live in the battleground states.  So my Catholic friends … how will you vote?

Politics aside, there is a First Amendment issue here which provides for the free exercise of religion.  Many people, myself included, believe the administration is on the wrong side of the Constitution.  The “audacity” (but not of “Hope”) and arrogance it takes to order religious institutions to go against their doctrine and beliefs are nothing short of astounding. 

Just so we are clear… The final ruling, (by HHS)  says that starting on Aug. 1, 2013, health plans must cover all FDA-approved contraceptives, including hormonal contraceptives such as birth control pills; implanted devices such as intrauterine devices (IUDs); Plan B emergency contraceptives (the "morning-after" pill); and sterilization -- all without charging a co-pay, coinsurance, or a deductible. The plans will not have to cover abortions, however.  Isn’t that special? (Apologies to the Church Lady)

The mandate was eloquently summed up this way: “In effect, the president is saying we have a year to figure out how to violate our consciences,” said Cardinal-designate Timothy M. Dolan, archbishop of New York and president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

The cardinal-designate continued, “To force American citizens to choose between violating their consciences and forgoing their healthcare is literally unconscionable. It is as much an attack on access to health care as on religious freedom. Historically this represents a challenge and a compromise of our religious liberty."

Catholics took to the pulpits last Sunday to issue statements and bulletins for churchgoers to contact their members of Congress to support legislation reversing the rule.  How many of the 77 million American Catholics heard this battle-cry proclamation?  Catholic conservatives, in lockstep with Evangelicals will oppose the administration’s decision.  But will we hear the sound of Catholic liberals slipping  away from their rock solid support of this sitting President who once again seems out of touch politically as well as morally.

That’s why we’ll need all hands on deck to keep Catholics in the column of the candidate and party that best represents Catholic social teaching on foundational issues as life, marriage, family and religious freedom in 2012.  Catholics need to make that “right” turn now… and don't let the same dog bite you twice!