Knights of Columbus Elder Council 1195

Recently the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services issued a ruling that would force almost all private health plans to cover sterilization procedures, abortion-inducing drugs, and contraception. This news was met with dismay by leaders of the Catholic Church and other organizations because, as written, the rule will force Catholic organizations and their employees to violate their consciences or severely curtail their services. This would diminish both religious freedom and access to health care.

The HHS mandate puts many faith-based organizations, ministries, and individuals in untenable positions. They must comply or possibly stop receiving Federal reimbursements, receive fins, restrict services, or even lose their jobs. This mandate also harms society as a whole by undermining America’s tradition of respect for religious liberty and freedom of conscience.

Challenge:

This issue is the latest of a continuous assault on the Catholic Church and the consciences of its members. Examples of other attempts to interfere with the Church’s role in society are commented on by Supreme Chaplain Bishop William E. Lori, and Supreme Knight Carl A. Anderson, in the February 2012 Columbia. These government actions challenge us as member Knights of Columbus to stand with our Church leaders to do what is right and just. I’ve been asked by our worthy GK, Jonathan Pearson, to share several thoughts about this matter:

First, be not fooled or distracted by the illusion that this is solely a political issue because it isn’t. This mandate is the work of men and women who are the human instruments of evil at war against our creator God. Evil uses human beings in its attempts to create confusion, conflict, chaos, destruction, and death. These were Satan’s objectives in many of its assaults on human kind and this most recent attack appears intent on moving forward along this same path.

Consider this directive as an assault on Catholic Church leaders and the consciences of Catholic healthcare providers by calling into question their faith in Jesus Christ and Church membership. The enemy has its sights fixed on their faith and moral beliefs. Again, the battle plan against God is to employ the tactics of confusion, conflict, chaos, destruction and death against the Catholic Church and its members with the spiritual intent to destroy souls.

Second, be not afraid! Let’s look to our Lord Jesus Christ for leadership and direction. We can call on Divine intervention for protection and use the spiritual weapons at our disposal when faced with spiritual warfare. Those weapons are already in the minds and hearts of many men and women equipped for and battle tested in spiritual warfare. You may know some of them. If so, it’s time to call them to arms.

This call to arms is essential but it does not replace appropriate human efforts to protect our freedoms of conscience and First Amendment Rights, i.e., freedom of religious liberty. However, to rely on this strategy alone may prove hazardous to our health, no pun intended.

Third, what else can we do? Consider this:

• Listen for the lies and don’t be distracted by illusions in the form of promises and double talk.
• Avoid the temptation to complain. Talk is cheap and negative talk is not becoming a Knight.
• Personalize this issue by considering what short and long-term effects it may have on you personally, on your loved ones, the Church and its health care organizations/ministries, society in general (other people outside the Church), our constitutional rights, and democratic system of government. Share your convictions whenever possible in well thought out ways.
• Recognize that the majority of citizens (family, friends, acquaintances, etc.), are apathetic and ill informed.
• Speak heart-to-heart as best you can. Let God provide the words. Watch the eyes of your listeners. They’ll let you know how you are being received.

In conclusion, keep in mind the Catholic Church holds the moral compass for human-kind throughout the world and history. It proclaims the wisdom of God through Jesus Christ and the cross. There will always be people out to destroy the Church and its members. These people are not working or themselves, they are slaves of an evil power they don’t recognize or understand. Pray for them, have pity on them, and stand firm on your faith convictions.