This is another major blow to religious liberty. I really am astonished at this.
On Thursday, January 26, Archbishop Broglio emailed a pastoral letter to Catholic military chaplains with instructions that it be read from the pulpit at Sunday Masses the following weekend in all military chapels. The letter calls on Catholics to resist the policy initiative, recently affirmed by the United States Department of Health and Human Services, for federally mandated health insurance covering sterilization, abortifacients and contraception, because it represents a violation of the freedom of religion recognized by the U.S. Constitution.Archbishop Broglio has visited us twice. He is a good man. Please pray for him and for our nation.
The Army’s Office of the Chief of Chaplains subsequently sent an email to senior chaplains advising them that the Archbishop’s letter was not coordinated with that office and asked that it not be read from the pulpit. The Chief’s office directed that the letter was to be mentioned in the Mass announcements and distributed in printed form in the back of the chapel.
Archbishop Broglio and the Archdiocese stand firm in the belief, based on legal precedent, that such a directive from the Army constituted a violation of his Constitutionally-protected right of free speech and the free exercise of religion, as well as those same rights of all military chaplains and their congregants.
Following a discussion between Archbishop Broglio and the Secretary of the Army, The Honorable John McHugh, it was agreed that it was a mistake to stop the reading of the Archbishop’s letter. Additionally, the line: “We cannot — we will not — comply with this unjust law” was removed by Archbishop Broglio at the suggestion of Secretary McHugh over the concern that it could potentially be misunderstood as a call to civil disobedience.
The AMS did not receive any objections to the reading of Archbishop Broglio’s statement from the other branches of service. Continue Reading.
Of course it's a call to civil disobedience. That's the point.
ReplyDeleteAn understanding of the quoted line that would lead one to civil disobedience would not be a misunderstanding. If the administration does not rescind the policy, we will be called to disobey the lesser power of government by the greater power of the Almighty.
ReplyDeleteAre there special considerations regarding civil disobedience and the military that might have been at play here?
ReplyDeleteTotally UNSAT.
ReplyDeleteIt should have been read. We can burn American flags in this country and this is a problem? SHAME ON THEM!
ReplyDeleteOf course it's civil disobedience! So preach it!
ReplyDeleteIn the Lt.Kelley case on the infamous Viet Nam incident...I believe that upon review the Court stated that under the UCMJ (United Code of Military Justice) miltary personal DO Not have to obey an 'Order' that violates the Conscious or one that is illegal or unconstitutional. In this case: Obama can not violate the United States Constitution to begin with( He took an Oath to Up-Hold the US Constitution...violation by him would make him a ' Liar ')nevertheless, Obama can not order the 'People' to violate Church Doctrine. He can not interfere in Church matters; period! In this situation their is no contest; Catholic/Christians, can not be ordered by the State to violate God! Therefore, ' Resistance to the Policy and to Obama is legitimate'. HE CAN NOT ASK US TO VIOLATE THE BIBLICAL MANDATES OF GOD OR OUR CHURCH NEITHER TO VIOLATE OUR FREE WILL AND CONSCIOUS.
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