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Monday May 5, 2008
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Arizona Bishops Condemn Efforts to Curtail Physician Freedom of Conscience
By John Jalsevac
PHOENIX, AZ, May 5, 2008 (LifeSiteNews.com) - A new statement from the Arizona Conference of Catholic Bishops, signed by Phoenix Bishop Thomas J. Olmsted and Tucson Bishop Gerald F. Kicanas, strongly condemns recent efforts by lawmakers in Arizona and throughout the United States to curtail fundamental rights of conscience, particularly the freedom of conscience of physicians and healthcare workers.
"Today in our state and elsewhere in our nation, healthcare professionals and institutions find themselves struggling to preserve their rights of conscience, especially in matters that would involve the taking of human life," begins the bishops' statement.
"The right to follow one's religious beliefs and moral convictions is being compromised, undermined, and increasingly disregarded today by those who insist that actions be taken that violate the moral convictions a person holds dear or that underlie the very mission of an institution."
The bishops claim that "the pressure to deny 'rights of conscience' continues to mount" across the country, and cite several examples from their own state to illustrate.
"Pressure to violate one's conscience is an increasing reality for today's doctors, nurses, and pharmacists. We are aware here in Arizona of doctors who face ridicule and difficult ramifications if they are unwilling to participate in or sanction abortions in the course of their work. We are also aware of a nurse in Arizona who was fired from a hospital for refusing to participate in abortions, only to be later hired back because of a nursing shortage. Likewise, pharmacists in our communities feel compelled and are being forced to violate their conscience, especially in the distribution of medication that may act as an abortifacient."
In particular the bishops take to task already existent legislation in Arizona that forces employers to provide healthcare coverage to their employees that includes coverage for contraception. "This law clearly forces Catholic organizations like Catholic Charities and Catholic Hospitals to act in a way that is contrary to our moral teaching."
"Ironically," the bishops observe, "supporters of 'mandatory contraception' legislation often advocate for a 'separation of church and state,' but do not see the inconsistency involved in the state forcing church organizations to violate critically important tenets of their faith."
The bishops conclude their statement by encouraging Catholics and all men and women of good will to take action to protect freedom of conscience in five different ways: 1) Prayer, 2) Self-education on the issue of freedom of conscience, 3) Involvement in the political process, 4) Supporting healthcare providers in matters of conscience, and 5) Joining with people of other faiths and those of goodwill to find solutions.
"The opportunity to refuse to take part in the consultation, preparation, and execution of these acts against life should be guaranteed to physicians, health care personnel, and directors of hospitals, clinics and convalescent facilities," conclude the bishops. "Those who have recourse to conscientious objection must be protected not only from legal penalties but also from any negative effects on the legal, disciplinary, and financial plane."
To read the complete statement see:
http://www.newvisiononline.org/freedom.html
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