Vatican Cardinal: US Healthcare Mandate Is “Contrary To The Very Foundation Of Our Nation”
In a further sign of Christian unity against President Obama’s compulsory birth control mandate, Cardinal Raymond Burke has called on all Catholics to oppose “this unprecedented attack” on freedom of conscience and religious liberty.
Speaking in an interview today, Cardinal Burke, Prefect of the Apostolic Signatura, spoke of the duty of all Catholics to unite and defend: “the fundamental human right, the right to the free exercise of one’s conscience.” Cardinal Burke also encouraged employers to withstand the government pressure to provide contraception, abortion-inducing drugs and sterilization to their staff; a requirement that the US government plans to make compulsory, not just for all employers, but also for universities.
In response to Cardinal Burke’s rallying call, Cardinal Renato Raffaele Martino, Honorary President of the Dignitatis Humanae Institute stated: “The leadership shown by the Catholic Bishops of the United States, backed up by millions of the Catholic faithful has been a heartening sight within this tragic situation. No citizen should be forced to choose between healthcare and their faith, all in the name of ‘choice’.” The Cardinal Martino added: “The Dignitatis Humanae Institute fervently applauds the leadership demonstrated by Cardinal Burke, and all American Bishops on this matter; a defining issue of our time.”
Speaking exclusively from his office to the Dignitatis Humanae Institute, Cardinal Burke said: “I would like to warmly thank Cardinal Martino for his support. At stake is freedom of conscience, a fundamental and innate right for which humanity has sacrificed so much to safeguard and preserve. We cannot allow a government to assume supremacy over our conscience, and to force us into actions we know to be morally wrong.”
The Dignitatis Humanae Institute encourages all to support Cardinal Burke’s call to sign the petition against the birth control mandate, and furthermore urges all Christians to stand in courageous witness for freedom of conscience.