SPRINGFIELD, Mass.- (WGGB) – A letter from Bishop Timothy A. McDonnell calls the recent mandate of requiring businesses and organizations to cover contraception, “unfair.” The letter was sent to each Catholic church, urging followers to speak out and challenge the government.
“I think anybody who is at all religious is going to be against that,” Diane O’Donnell said, a parishoner from St. Patrick’s Church.
“I just don’t think the government should tell the church what to do- bottom line,” said parishoner Donna Burroughs.
Many parishes chose not to read the letter, instead they posted it in their bulletin. But at St.Patrick’s it began and highlighted today’s mass.
“We cannot and we will not comply with this unjust law. People of faith can not be treated as second class citizens,” the letter from Bishop McDonnell read.
Many people at Sunday’s mass felt this was not an appropriate action to be taken by the government and want to see this stopped. They feel this is an infringement on their religion and plan to do what they can to change this.
“They’re going to react to that and they should because if they don’t the government will do whatever they want so we should speak up for our rights,” said parishoner Velia Taddia.
Parishoners say now that they’ve know the content of the letter, they plan to write to legislators.
“My hope is that Catholics respond to this letter and fight for religious freedom in this country,” said Deacon George Kozach.
But not all church-goers felt comfortable sitting through this mass, some people actually got up and left.
“I saw a couple people from being in the back here- a couple people walked out when they started reading it. So it’s an individual’s choice but I agree with the letter,” said Kevin Becher of St.Patrick’s.
Deacon Kozach says after today’s reaction, he expects many from his parish to stand up for this issue.
After they have abused children and covered it up they have a hell of a nerve to try to claim they are the moral compass for anyone. If they want to get involved with politics tax them, they aren’t fit to preach Gods word. Bunch of hypocrites!
Obey God’s church.
Although I have been hearing about this issue in the news, isn’t it customary for a journalist to write a brief synopsis of WHAT THE HECK THE MANDATE IS?!
Is this the free birth control thing? Is that what all the fuss is? Its real simple. If your Catholic, dont take the free birth control. No one is making anyone take it. Or is the problem really that Catholic institutions that provide healthcare for its employees cant force their personal beliefs on their non catholic employees?
Or is it that it bothers catholics that many of thier own dont even follow the beliefs? I have certainly known quite a number of catholics in my life. None of them were virgins when they married. They managed to have lots of premarital sex and not get pregnant somehow. Yet they still wore white at their weddings….hmmm. The 5 sins. I have seen it my whole life in all the various forms of christian religions which is what probably turned me off to religion in the first place.
So if by the catholic churches teachings you are to live by it rules then any onw taking medication should stop taking it. It must be gods will that you have heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes,cancer oh and you men stop taking that little blue pills or their counterparts. Wouldnt want to be a bad catholic and go against gods plan. Bottomline is they dont want to have to possible have an oncrease
So if by the catholic churches teachings you are to live by it rules then any onw taking medication should stop taking it. It must be gods will that you have heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes,cancer oh and you men stop taking that little blue pills or their counterparts. Wouldnt want to be a bad catholic and go against gods plan. Bottomline is they dont want to have to possible have an increase on premiums they have to pay.