Rally for Religious Freedom

This past Friday I had the opportunity to attend the Rally for Religious Freedom at Independence Hall in Philadelphia. There were rallies in about 140 cities all over the country protesting the HHS mandate.

Obama's HHS mandate will require all health care insurance providers to provide birth control for employees. All religious hospitals and other organizations are expected to provide their employees with the birth-control-providing healthcare. This goes against religious beliefs for Catholics as well as other religious. A movement began to protest and on March 23rd the nationwide rallies took place.

Hundreds were in attendance at Independence Hall on Friday. People came on their lunch breaks or took off from work to be present. Various speakers came including clergy, doctors, and lawyers. One man, Robert Mansfield, a practicing Episcopalian and Iraqi War veteran, said, "We didn't travel 7,000 miles to have the government tell us how we're going to practice our faith. If they're coming after the Catholics, they're coming after us next."

The rally was great! It was so good to be united with so many other people in our city concerned about the HHS mandate. At times it can feel as though we are alone in our fight, but this rally made me feel hopeful that we can make changes happen! The speakers were very impressive and the attendees were very respectful. I had the opportunity to volunteer a bit by going around and collecting contact cards. This was to get a head count for the event and to send out more information for future events. I talked to various people from the city to the suburbs, from down the street all the way to Avalon, NJ! There were all ages and races, both male and female. There were reps from Generation Life, the King's Men, A Baby's Breath, Silent No More, Priests for Life, and many more. I was so proud of the pro-life movement in Philadelphia!

Here is the link to here more about the rally and other things you can do!
http://standupforreligiousfreedom.com/

This is a link to a statement signed by Cardinal Timothy Dolan of New York. He is also President of the USCCB. https://sites.google.com/a/nd.edu/the-notre-dame-fund-to-protect-human-life/news-and-commentary/cardinaldolansignsstatementrejectinghhscontraceptionmandate

Here is a summary provided by the Archdiocese of Philadelphia:

On January 20th, the Obama administration made it clear that the new HHS [U.S. Department of Health and Human Services] mandate requiring employers to provide free contraceptives, sterilization and abortifacient drugs through their insurance plans would be imposed on religious institutions.

The HHS provided a “religious exemption” so narrow that it would exclude Catholic hospitals, universities and charities, forcing these institutions to act in direct opposition to Catholic teaching through the health care plans they provide. Institutions run by other religious organizations would be similarly affected.

Religious leaders across the country have been speaking out against the HHS mandate, including 171 Catholic bishops, and numerous lawsuits have been filed by Catholic institutions.

What every citizen must know about the HHS mandate

• The mandate does not exempt Catholic charities, schools, universities, or hospitals.

• The mandate forces these institutions and others, against their conscience, to pay for things they consider immoral.

• The mandate forces coverage of sterilization and abortion-inducing drugs and devices as well as contraception.

• Americans of all political persuasions and religious backgrounds are unified in their opposition to the mandate.

• Abortion and contraception are not healthcare.

My friend Jeremiah and I at the Rally

Shalom and God bless!

In Him,

Theresa