Monthly Archives: May 2012

May 29, 2012

Upcoming Religious Freedom Events in Minnesota

“Religious Liberty: Our Most Cherished Freedom” Event

Thursday, June 21, 2012
7:00 to 9:00 p.m.
Nativity of Our Lord Catholic Church,
St. Paul, MN

“Religious Liberty and Healthcare” Event

Tuesday, June 26, 2012
7:00 to 9:00 p.m.
St. John the Evangelist Church
Rochester, MN

 

May 21, 2012

43 Catholic dioceses, groups sue to stop HHS contraception mandate

Forty-three Catholic dioceses, schools, hospitals, social service agencies and other institutions filed suit in federal court Monday to stop three government agencies from implementing a mandate that would require them to cover contraceptives and sterilization in their health plans.

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May 20, 2012

USCCB Submits Comments on Proposed HHS Rulemaking, Urges Re-Opening of Final Rule Defining Mandate, Exemption

Future ‘accommodation’ excludes many, cannot meet incompatible goals
Outstanding issues should be resolved ‘in favor of more, not less, religious freedom’ 

WASHINGTON—Religious employers and other stakeholders would still have their employee health insurance plans and premiums used for services they find morally objectionable, even under future government accommodations, according to comments submitted by the General Counsel of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The May 15 comments outlined the continued objections of USCCB to the HHS “preventive services” mandate and urged the administration to resolve these issues “in favor of more, not less, religious freedom.”

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May 16, 2012

Legislature Adjourns Sine Die

The State Legislature finalized three major bills—the tax bill, bonding bill, and the stadium bill—this week after long floor debates and dozens of amendments. Lawmakers ultimately put their stamp of approval on the three major bills which still need to be signed by Governor Dayton.

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May 2, 2012

Facts About Anointing of the Sick: The How and Why

Canon lawyer Sr. Marlene Weisenbeck, FSPA, Ph.D., J.C.L., provides an accessible overview of a Catholic sacrament that is particularly relevant to Catholic health care. Her report in the September-October 2011 issue of Health Progress is useful to media, family members and patients alike.