Today AlwaysCatholicBlog received an email from CatholicVote.org. It was so powerful we felt that it was of utmost importance to share it with those who are not on the mailing list:

 

From Brian Burch of CatholicVote.org…

 

The sleeping giant has been awakened.

Right now we’re witnessing an unprecedented response to the Obama administration’s decision last Friday to proceed with their new mandate forcing all Americans (including the Catholic Church) to fund birth control, sterilization, and some abortion-inducing drugs.

Since Friday we have been receiving reports from individuals and parishes across the country. Catholics of all stripes, left, right, and center — “political” categories that are not typically helpful — are nevertheless coming together like never before.

We are united as one Church.

Bishops, priests, pastors and the laity are rising up. Many priests and bishops preached last Sunday on the threat, with numerous reports of congregations spontaneously erupting with standing ovations. Blogs, news sites, and grassroots organizations (on both left and right!) have erupted. The emails and calls to CV are pouring in.

Retired Cardinal Mahoney in Los Angeles responded to the decision saying: “This decision must be fought against with all the energies the Catholic Community can muster…there is no other fundamental issue as important as this one as we enter into the Presidential and Congressional campaigns…[i]f any candidate refuses to acknowledge and to promote those rights, then that candidate will not receive my vote.”

And just this morning, New York’s Cardinal-designate Timothy Dolan authored a blistering editorial in the Wall Street Journal in which he concluded:

“This latest erosion of our first freedom should make all Americans pause. When the government tampers with a freedom so fundamental to the life of our nation, one shudders to think what lies ahead.”

The assault on our religious freedom may not come as a surprise to many of you. For years, hostile groups and some elected officials have been working to destroy the influence of the Church in America. For years they have flaunted our social teachings, insulted our clergy and hierarchy, and mocked our Pope. The attacks are endless.

And now they want us to fund their agenda.

NO WAY.

We will not accept this new mandate, and we will not rest until it is overturned.

Our goal: Ensure that every Catholic voter in every swing state understands this decision – and what is at stake in November.

As Catholics, we are a diverse bunch. We argue about politics, candidates, and the issues. We disagree on how to solve our economic problems, immigration, and the role of government. There are even some Catholics who struggle with the Church on the foundational issues of life and marriage.

But on the issue of religious liberty — our First Freedom — there must be unity.

This is not the time for “I told you so,” or finger pointing.

We must lock arms with each other. Pray. Fast. And fight back like never before.

We are united.

We are Catholic.

And we won’t back down.

 

CatholicVote.org needs out support. Please go to the site and signup for their feed and email updates. Stay informed. Our Faith and country staying free depend on it.

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A priest I know answered a question of mine about voting when I was 18. I asked him, “Father, how do I know how to vote?” I was very young and getting a ton of misinformation from other Catholics.

He looked at me and answered quietly, “You hold the Crucifix in one hand and pull the lever with the other…”

To this day, I never have a problem voting. The teachings of Our Lord entrusted to Holy Mother Church and her Vicar are here for all of us so we know what that Crucifix means, in all stages and phases of our lives. The Church and Her Teaching is a constant that never leaves me…Deo Gratias!

Thank you to Michael Voris and Real Catholic TV for giving voice to those who desire to be obedient to our Faith. In addition, a big thank you to @ToddyLittman for tweeting this to us, knowing we would definitely want to post it.

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Obama’s Counterfeit Catholics

Learn the truth behind the fake Catholics who have helped an atheist billionaire dominate the Democratic party…

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We Told you So!

Dissenting and indifferent Catholics in the voting booth have significantly contributed to putting the most anti-life president ever to occupy the Oval Office into power.

Lord, help us!

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From our brothers in Christ, Matt & Pat Archbold at Creative Minority Report…

Outrageous HHS Final Rule: Catholic Groups Must Cover Contraceptives

This is outrageous. HHS has issued its final ruling on exemptions from contraceptive coverage for health plans even in the face of religious obejctions. Too bad.

And in what passes for compromise for the lunatic secular left currently running the country, they will give religious groups an extra year to comply if you can PROVE you are really a religious group (which is difficult to impossible with these people), but comply you will.

This is outrageous. We must demand that the next President/Congress reverse this on day 1.

A statement by U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius

In August 2011, the Department of Health and Human Services issued an interim final rule that will require most health insurance plans to cover preventive services for women including recommended contraceptive services without charging a co-pay, co-insurance or a deductible. The rule allows certain non-profit religious employers that offer insurance to their employees the choice of whether or not to cover contraceptive services. Today the department is announcing that the final rule on preventive health services will ensure that women with health insurance coverage will have access to the full range of the Institute of Medicine’s recommended preventive services, including all FDA -approved forms of contraception. Women will not have to forego these services because of expensive co-pays or deductibles, or because an insurance plan doesn’t include contraceptive services. This rule is consistent with the laws in a majority of states which already require contraception coverage in health plans, and includes the exemption in the interim final rule allowing certain religious organizations not to provide contraception coverage. Beginning August 1, 2012, most new and renewed health plans will be required to cover these services without cost sharing for women across the country.

After evaluating comments, we have decided to add an additional element to the final rule. Nonprofit employers who, based on religious beliefs, do not currently provide contraceptive coverage in their insurance plan, will be provided an additional year, until August 1, 2013, to comply with the new law. Employers wishing to take advantage of the additional year must certify that they qualify for the delayed implementation. This additional year will allow these organizations more time and flexibility to adapt to this new rule. We intend to require employers that do not offer coverage of contraceptive services to provide notice to employees, which will also state that contraceptive services are available at sites such as community health centers, public clinics, and hospitals with income-based support. We will continue to work closely with religious groups during this transitional period to discuss their concerns.

Follow me to CreativeMinorityReport for the rest of the post….

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by Steven Ertelt | Washington, DC | LifeNews.com | 1/22/12

President Barack Obama, today, release a statement celebrating the Roe vs. Wade Supreme Court decision that allowed for 54 million abortions. The decision, handed down on January 22, 1973, overturned pro-life laws offering protection for unborn children in most states across the country, and made abortions legal and virtually unlimited.

The statement Obama released says:

As we mark the 39th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, we must remember that this Supreme Court decision not only protects a woman’s health and reproductive freedom, but also affirms a broader principle: that government should not intrude on private family matters. I remain committed to protecting a woman’s right to choose and this fundamental constitutional right. While this is a sensitive and often divisive issue- no matter what our views, we must stay united in our determination to prevent unintended pregnancies, support pregnant woman and mothers, reduce the need for abortion, encourage healthy relationships, and promote adoption. And as we remember this historic anniversary, we must also continue our efforts to ensure that our daughters have the same rights, freedoms, and opportunities as our sons to fulfill their dreams.

For most Americans, the day the Supreme Court handed down its decision was a day to mourn — a day to mourn the loss of tens of millions of unborn children — sons and daughters, brothers and sisters lost to a world that values choice over compassion. It was a day to mourn the damage abortion does to women — the medical problems, the mental health issues, the damaging of relationships with friends and family, and the destruction of relationships with God.

It was a day to mourn the culture of death abortion has brought to our nation and our world. A culture that believes death is a solution for those who are considered too old or too ill. A culture that believes human life is a commodity to be created and manipulated.

The rest of the story click here…

Editor’s Note: SICKENING

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January 22nd, 2012 by Timothy Whiteman
For the Wilmington Examiner.com

Pontiff blasts rising ‘Radical Secularism’ in the United States

It’s not every day that the Bishop of Rome fires off a volley.

But when he does, it’s usually of Biblical proportions.

Pope Benedict XVI shocked many by his specifically naming of the United States, and by inference, the current Obama administration, in attacking all of Christianity.

As reported by CatholicCulture.org, the Pope stated to a group of visiting American clerics:

In America… as enshrined in your nation’s founding documents, was grounded in a worldview shaped not only by faith but a commitment to certain ethical principles deriving from nature and nature’s God.

Today that consensus has eroded significantly in the face of powerful new cultural currents which are not only directly opposed to core moral teachings of the Judeo-Christian tradition, but increasingly hostile to Christianity as such.

CatholicCulture.org also reported that:

“The Pope said that he was dismayed by reports from the American bishops about new threats to religious freedom.

He mentioned especially the initiatives that would ‘deny the right of conscientious objection’ to people who are morally opposed to ‘cooperation in intrinsically evil practices.’”

The official teaching of the Catholic Church have always defined cooperation in the abortion procedure, and also the homosexual act both as “intrinsically evil”.

There has been a history of friction between orthodox Catholics and the Obama administration in reference to the Obama’s policies that would legally force all health-care providers to cooperate in abortions, or force both public officials and private individuals to participate in the celebration of same-sex marriages or refer children for adoption by gay couples.

A small minority of American bishops have sharply criticized the Obama administration for its unwillingness to include a “conscience clause” to protect the moral tenants of all religious believers, regardless of Church or denomination.

Catholic In Name Only?

There have been certain individual Catholics, Catholic organizations, and Catholic institutions that have abandoned Catholic teachings, yet still retain the title of ‘Catholic’.

In June 2004, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops approved the statement “Catholics in Political Life,” which mandated:

“The Catholic community and Catholic institutions should not honor those who act in defiance of our fundamental moral principles.

They should not be given awards, honors or platforms which would suggest support for their actions.”

The University of Notre Dame openly defied Church leadership by inviting Obama to be the guest of honor and commencement speaker for the 2009 graduating class.

UND also bestowed an honorary doctor of laws degree to the openly pro-abortion president.

Meanwhile In Europe…

Pope Benedict has also been calling for Europe to “re-discover” it’s Christian roots.

There have been ongoing ecumenical talks with both the Greek and Russian Orthodox Churches to join forces in a religious European Re-Awakening.

Thanks to Timothy Whiteman from Examiner.com

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Thousands Rally To Support Gov. Walker Amid Recall Fight

from Tammy our friend at AlwaysCatholicBlog (@tamale102280 on Twitter) pics and the WISN link to a video from the Rally. Tammy’s the one right in front with the purple hat and BEAUTIFUL multi-colored woven scarf (handmade by her) in front…check it out!

http://www.wisn.com/video/30269762/detail.html#ixzz1k9gF0CyE

Pics from the super successful turnout! 3,000 PLUS!

Former Governor Tommy Thompson, Lt.Governor Rebecca Kleefisch, Citizens of the great state of Wisconsin and Tammy, our buddy on the scene… Thanks Tammy for fighting the good fight and for the pics from this call to action for our Guv! BTW, you look great on the WISN vid…Go gurl!

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