WASHINGTON, D.C., January 24, 2012, (LifeSiteNews.com) – On the eve of the March for Life, Daniel Cardinal DiNardo roused a crowd of over 20,000 pilgrims (Shrine staff estimate) with the message that the Obama administration’s health care policies threaten the religious liberty of Roman Catholics and other pro-life Christians.
“Disturbing news came to us Friday from HHS [the Department of Health and Human Services] and the Obama administration,” he said. “It fundamentally repeated the mandate that sterilization and contraception must be included in virtually all health plans. Never before in our U.S. history has the federal government forced citizens to directly purchase what violates our beliefs.”
“At issue here…is the survival of a cornerstone constitutionally protected freedom that ensures respect for conscience and religious liberty.”
The stern warning came as part of the approximately 30 minute-long homily Cardinal DiNardo gave to the capacity crowd at the National Prayer Vigil for Life, held in the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception Sunday evening.
Click “like” if you want to end abortion!
Just two days earlier, the Obama administration restated that its mandate for many religious institutions to fully fund contraception, including abortifacient birth control like Ella and Plan B, as part of their health insurance coverage is binding and irrevocable. Catholic hospitals and other religiously affiliated establishments will have until next August to include this coverage, regardless of their religious objection to the practices. Cardinal-designate Timothy Dolan had greeted the news by saying, “In effect, the president is saying we have a year to figure out how to violate our consciences.”
DiNardo encouraged the large number of youth from across the nation, many of whom slept in the crypt of the shrine, to call the nation to repentance and remain fervent witnesses for religious freedom.
“Please do not underestimate your presence and conscience here,” he said. “Remember Jonah! Remember religious liberty and the current attacks against it!”
“Jonah gave Nineveh 40 days, and they repented. We are nearing the 40th year anniversary of Roe v. Wade. Fifty-three million children have lost their lives since then; millions of men and women have lives that will never be the same because of their tragic choices. Our embrace of life must be clear.”
The cardinal offset his grim assessment of religious liberty and his charge for America’s youth to remain vigilant with an appreciation for the progress made over the last year. “There are a record number of state laws that now restrict abortions,” he said. In 2011, states enacted a record 83 laws restricting abortion, nearly four times as many as the previous year.
“State prosecutors have begun to prosecute late term abortionists who deny life and injure and maim women,” Cardinal DiNardo added.
He also singled out Project Rachel, which he said manifested “the miracle of Christ’s mercy and healing grace as hearts broken are made whole, filled with peace and hope once again.”
This is Cardinal DiNardo’s final year as chief celebrant of the annual vigil Mass. Last November, the U.S. Council of Catholic Bishops elected Sean Patrick Cardinal O’Malley of Boston as chair of its Committee on Pro-Life Activities. He will take office later this year.
For Further Information:
USCCB Committee on Pro-Life Activities