The following is Father Bryan Brooks' response to Bishop Slattery's letter on the recent HHS ruling:

Dear Parishioners of The Madalene,

On Sunday, February 5, Bishop Slattery had a letter read at all Masses in the Diocese. It concerned the recent mandate by the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) that will force both private businesses and faith based organizations to provide their employees with health insurance plans that will include sterilization, abortion-inducing drugs and contraception. Bishop Slattery stated that this mandate was contrary to both Catholic teaching on the dignity of human life and constitutional guarantees of religious freedom, and that he would refuse to obey it. A link to his letter is found on the parish website.
 
Prior to reading Bishop's letter, I prefaced his remarks with some of my own. I chose to do so because there had been little news coverage of this matter up to that time and there was a need to place his message in context so as not to cause any confusion. A recording of those remarks, and as well as Bishop's letter, can be heard on the podcast for homilies for February 5, also found on this website.
 
As I stated at Mass that day, the heart of this issue is not Catholics and contraception. It is freedom of conscience and religious liberty, both of which are protected under the US Constitution. The HHS mandate in effect is an attempt by a federal government agency to dictate to faith-based organizations, such as churches and the hospitals, schools, universities, and charities that they operate, who they can be and what they can do.
 
I spoke with somewhat more passion than usual for Sunday Mass, but I believe that the event called for it. I would have spoken the same way regardless of which political party controls the White House or Congress. Any attempt by the government, no matter who runs it, to force religious groups and individuals to violate their beliefs shows utter contempt for religious liberty. We can not stay silent in such matters.
 
While we need to speak out, let us do so with respect to each other, and those in government. It is counter productive to deride someone, especially our fellow Catholics, for their political affiliation, which candidates they have supported in the past, or those they may support in the future.
 
Of far greater profit for our souls is to pray and fast that this mandate be reversed by HHS, or overturned in court. In this matter, as in all others, may Christ be with us.
 
Fr. Bryan

Read Bishop Slattery's Letter at:
http://www.dioceseoftulsa.org/article.asp?nID=4429


Read Archbishop Coakley's Letter on the topic at:
http://www.catharchdioceseokc.org/HHS%20Ruling%20Letter%201%2026%2012%20English.pdf