The Obama Administration and its pro-abortion allies hoped public outcry over their healthcare mandate which forces religious institutions to violate their moral convictions, would die down in time. They went as far as to mount a public relations assault against opponents, accusing them of waging “war on women.
But the public outcry against the unpopular Obama healthcare law and the HHS mandate has not dissipated. Pro-life advocates will stand together from June 21st through July 4th for a two-week prayer and action campaign called the “Fortnight for Freedom.”
The “Fortnight for Freedom” is being sponsored by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and backed by prominent right-to-life organizations. According to the USCCB, “Bishops in their own dioceses are encouraged to arrange special events to highlight the importance of defending religious freedom. Catholic institutions are encouraged to do the same, especially in cooperation with other Christians, Jews, people of other faiths and all who wish to defend our most cherished freedom.”
In total, 43 Catholic dioceses, universities, hospitals and other religious organizations sued the Obama Administration to protect their religious freedom.
The National Right to Life Committee has warned the HHS mandate also paves the way for the forced coverage of surgical abortions. The organization said, “The Obama Administration has issued a requirement that religious institutions, such as religious schools and hospitals, pay for health insurance plans that provide drugs and procedures that violate the groups’ religious and moral convictions. The same rationale used for this could later be used to require coverage for surgical abortions also.”
The group also notes, “The Obama Administration killed a conscience regulation that would have protected health care workers from being punished for refusing to participate in abortions.”
President Obama’s unwavering pro-abortion advocacy has earned him the endorsement of the nation’s top pro-abortion groups including Planned Parenthood and NARAL. In contrast, Republican nominee Mitt Romney, who is endorsed by National Right to Life PAC, has pledged to do away with the Obama HHS mandate and says he believes Obamacare must be repealed.
In a Washington Examiner opinion piece, Romney wrote, “…on day one I will eliminate the Obama Administration rule that compels religious institutions to violate the tenets of their own faith. Such rules don’t belong in the America that I believe in.”
CLICK LIKE IF YOU’RE PRO-LIFE!
As Romney addressed graduates of Liberty University in May, he remarked, “Religious liberty is the first freedom in our Constitution. And whether the cause is justice for the persecuted, compassion for the needy and the sick, or mercy for the child waiting to be born, there is no greater force for good in the nation than Christian conscience in action.”
A list of participating dioceses and scheduled events can be found on the USCCB website. For more information on the stances of Barack Obama and Mitt Romney on the life issues, please consult this comparison piece from National Right to Life.
