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Urgent Action: Urge Congress to Pass the Conscience Protection Act NOW! July 12th, 2016
(JPIC action alert is adapted from an alert action resource by USCCB)
July 13, the House is scheduled to vote on the Conscience Protection Act of 2016. Recent action by the federal government allowing California to continue forcing health plans to cover abortions has prompted the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops to call for an immediate federal remedy. Oblates JPIC strongly supports the Catholic Bishops and urge you take immediate action in support of the Conscience Protection Act of 2016 H.R. 4828/S. 2927.
It is critical that you contact your representatives and urge them to take immediate action to enact the Conscience Protection Act of 2016 H.R. 4828/S. 2927). Even if you have responded to a previous alert, please contact your representatives again and urge them to support this bill.
On July 13, the House is scheduled to vote on the Conscience Protection Act of 2016. It would amend the Public Health Service Act to “codify the prohibition against the federal government and state and local governments that receive federal financial assistance for health-related activities penalizing or discriminating against a health care provider based on the provider’s refusal to be involved in, or provide coverage for, abortion.”
In 2014, California started forcing almost all health plans in the state to cover elective abortions, even late-term abortions. Religious employers in California that offer group health plans to their employees lodged an objection with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), which has oversight responsibility for enforcing federal conscience laws. On June 21, HHS declared, contrary to the plain meaning of current federal law that the California Department of Managed Health Care can continue to force all health plans under its jurisdiction to cover elective abortions.
What is more, other states such as Washington and New York may be following California’s lead. These actions clearly violate a federal law known as the Weldon Amendment, which forbids governments receiving federal health care funds to discriminate against those who decline to take part in abortion or abortion coverage. Unfortunately, this amendment has limitations that may make it difficult to enforce.
While HHS badly interpreted the Weldon amendment, the Conscience Protection Act (CPA) of 2016, (H.R. 4828/S. 2927), will make it even clearer that sponsors or providers of health plans that do not include elective abortion cannot be discriminated against. The CPA will protect health care providers from being forced to pay for or participate in abortions, and allow victims of discrimination a “right of action” to defend their rights in court. For example, nurses threatened with loss of their jobs unless they assist in abortions have found they have no right to go to court to see the law enforced. Congress should reaffirm a principle that has long enjoyed broad bipartisan support: Government should not force hospitals, doctors, nurses and other providers to stop offering much-needed health care because they cannot in good conscience participate in destroying a human life.
TAKE ACTION:
- Send an email to your Congressional Representative
- Contact your Representative by phone. Call the U.S. Capitol switchboard at 202-224-3121 or call his or her local office.
Suggested Message:
I urge you to enact H.R. 4828/S. 2927, the Conscience Protection Act of 2016, to defend the conscience rights of those who wish not to be involved in supporting abortion. Enacting this law is even more urgent with the recent decision by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to allow the state of California to continue forcing health plans to cover elective abortions. This bill is needed now to stop further discrimination against all people who respect unborn human life. It is wrong for government to force Americans to violate their deeply held convictions on respect for human life.
CONCLUSION:
2016 Lenten Reflection on Consistent Life – Week IV (Spanish version available!) March 7th, 2016
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Our faith calls us to pray, fast, and give to charity during Lent. As we look inward and reflect on our own lives, let us also remember our struggling brothers and sisters around the world and even people right in our backyards. To help support your Lenten devotion, Missionary Oblates JPIC is pleased to offer weekly resources centered on a justice theme. New this week – Download Spanish version of the Week IV Consistent Life Lenten Resource! WEEK IV — Consistent life is about right to life but also quality of life. Our challenge is to view all life as sacred and honor all people. Please feel free to share this resource with your congregations, communities and use during your own prayer time. Download the resource here. WEEK III — The environment/climate change is this week’s focus. 2015 was the year for global action on the environment with several significant happenings, including the release of Pope Francis’ encyclical Laudato Si: On Care for our Common Home, and huge rallies for the environment held around the world. Download the resource here. WEEK II — This second week we focus on the global occurrence of modern day slavery, also known as human trafficking. An estimated 30 million people worldwide are trafficked at any given time. Please feel free to share this resource with your congregations, communities and use during your prayer time. Download the resource here. WEEK I — This week’s focus is migration, a pressing global issue that affects us all. Please feel free to share this resource with your congregations, communities and use during your prayer time. Download the resource here.
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43rd Annual March for Life Scheduled for January 22 — Washington, DC January 20th, 2016
The 43rd Annual March for Life will take place in Washington, DC on Friday, January 22, 2016 at 12 noon on the National Mall. U.S. Roman Catholic and Orthodox Bishops will open the rally with prayer at 12 noon. The rally will be followed immediately by the march to Capitol Hill and the Supreme Court.
More information is available at www.marchforlife.org. . . or by calling 202-234-3300.
Join us in Washington, DC to make a powerful statement about the value of human life November 23rd, 2015
Join us for the 2015 Life Chain, a peaceful, prayerful public witness of pro-life Americans standing in honor of 58 million lives lost to abortion.
WHEN: Sunday, December 6, 2015, 1:30 – 3 PM.
WHERE: Roughly 231 Michigan Ave NE, Washington, DC 20017 (near the Dominican House of Studies). We will be standing on the south sidewalk of Michigan Ave between the Dominican House of Studies and Trinity University’s Notre Dame Chapel.
Signs will be available, but please feel free to bring your own. Be mindful that this is a family-friendly event and your signs should be appropriate for all audiences.
For questions, please call 202-854-8763.
40 Days For Life Concludes With Candlelight Vigil on Sunday, November 1 October 26th, 2015
A second Candlelight Vigil to mark the close of the 40 Days For Life campaign will take place in Washington, DC on November 1. 40 Days For Life is a nation wide initiative focused on renewing the Church’s commitment to the sanctity of all human life and protection of unborn babies. This year’s Candlelight Vigil coincides with All Saints’ Day. Details on the local Washington, DC event follow.
On-site Candlelight Vigil
Sunday, November 1, 7:00 P.M.
(candles with holders, provided)
- Where: 1225 4th Street, N.E., Corner of Florida Avenue, Washington, DC
- Metro Stop: Red Line, NoMa Gallaudet Station (Walk three blocks east to the site)
- When: Sunday, November 1st, 7:00 PM
For additional information, please contact:
Diane Conocchioli, Coordinator, 40 Days for Life, Washington, DC
at 4lifewdc@comcast.net or visit https://40daysforlife.com/local-campaigns/washington/
Our Facebook link is: https://www.facebook.com/events/1703099089923485/
