“On January 20, 2012, it was announced that the Obama Administration has refused to rescind its requirement that sterilization, abortifacients and contraception be included in virtually all health plans by 2013, without regard for religious belief or conscience.”

“For the United States this is an unprecedented attack on freedom of conscience and of religion.  It prompts a troubling question as to just how far the heavy hand of government will go, despite protestations and assurances to the contrary, to impose what Pope Benedict has called ‘powerful new cultural currents which are not only directly opposed to core moral teachings of Judeo-Christian tradition, but increasingly hostile to Christianity as such.’  ‘It is imperative,’ the Pope says, ‘that the entire Catholic community in the United States come to realize the grave threats to the Church’s public moral witness presented by a radical secularism which finds increasing expression in the political and cultural spheres.’”

“I urge everyone in the Diocese of Toledo, beginning with the clergy, to address this issue squarely, to inform people what is at stake, to prepare them to make sacrifices for their faith, to keep our country in their prayers, and to work to overturn what we Bishops have called a ‘literally unconscionable’ decision by the Obama Administration.”

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What follows are items prepared by the United States Bishops Conference:

1. Bishops Vow to Fight HHS Edict-Press Release
2. Talking Points-Federal Contraception/Sterilization Mandate
3. Backgrounder
4. HHS Agenda Q & A
5. Bishop Dolan speaks on HHS Mandate-Press Release with video link