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Brother Knights in Texas!

Tony Herreth, State Deputy

In early January, our Supreme Chaplain Bishop Lori, responded with joy to the Supreme Court’s unanimous ruling in a major First Amendment religious liberty case.

http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/supreme-court-unanimously-rejects-government-oversight-of-churches/

But the utilitarian secular culture with no regard for the weak or the unborn is making an aggressive push to advance its aims in a manner that silences all opposing voices.  Witness the deluge of negative media inflicted upon the Komen (Breast Cancer) Foundation when it withdrew funds for breast cancer screening services and referrals from Planned Parenthood (PP) because of the ongoing Congressional investigation into PP’s alleged illegal, unsafe and unethical practices.  Claiming it was misled and manipulated into a purely “political” fight, the Komen Foundation restored the funding, at least where PP actually provides breast cancer screening services.   

Just over two weeks later, the federal Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued the most egregious attack yet seen on religious ethics and conscience in American health care.  http://www.kofc.org/un/en/news/releases/detail/contraceptive_mandate.html

Our Catholic bishops have created an online clearinghouse on this HHS mandate, which can be accessed through http://www.usccb.org. The site features a video from Cardinal Dolan, as well as an excellent fact sheet answering common questions about the health care regulation. More importantly, the USCCB website provides a quick and easy way for Catholic voters to contact their representatives in Washington. After all, in our country, the final say on any law belongs to “We The People”.

So as Knights of Columbus, faithful Catholics and concerned citizens, we will not be silenced.  In all cases, the Church and our beloved Order lead the way in a response that is morally principled and legally sound.  So now is the time to speak up; ask your elected representatives to affirm life by co-sponsoring HR 1179 and S 1467 the “Respect for Rights of Conscience Act”.  Thank you, Brother Knights. Vivat Jesus!

Tony Herreth, State Deputy
Jim Collins, State Secretary
Terry Simonton, State Treasurer
Doug Oldmixon, State Advocate
Mark Evans, State Warden
Javier Martinez, Past State Deputy


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