GUEST COMMENTARY: Pope asks bishops to mobilize against HHS rule

A "perfect storm" for the clash of church and state took shape in just two days last month.

Meeting with U.S. bishops Jan. 19 in Rome, Pope Benedict XVI urged them to mobilize "every level of ecclesial life" against cultural and political trends that threaten "humanity itself." He called on all Catholics "to offer public witness to their faith, especially with regard to the great moral issues of our time: respect for God's gift of life, the protection of human dignity and the promotion of authentic human rights."

The pope emphasized: "Our tradition does not speak from blind faith but from a rational perspective. ... The church's defense of a moral reasoning based on the natural law ... is not a threat to our freedom, but rather a 'language' which enables us to understand ourselves and the truth of our being, and so to shape a more just and humane world. She (the Church) thus proposes her moral teaching as a message not of constraint but of liberation, and as the basis for building a secure future."

The American bishops "pointed out that concerted efforts have been made to deny the right of conscientious objection on the part of Catholic individuals and institutions with regard to cooperation in intrinsically evil practices."

In response, the pope stated that "here once more we see the need for an engaged ... laity... with the courage to counter a reductive secularism." Humanity is indeed at stake here because conscience is an essential part of human dignity.

The very next day, Jan. 20, in striking reconfirmation of Pope Benedict's warning, the Obama administration announced that very soon almost all of us, including most religious institutions, will have to contribute to health insurance plans that will provide free sterilization and contraception, including abortion-causing contraception (such as the drug "Ella").

Cardinal-designate Timothy Dolan responded: "To force American citizens to choose between violating their consciences and forgoing their health care (insurance) is literally unconscionable. It is as much an attack on access to health care as on religious freedom."

Sister Jane Marie Klein, board chairwoman of the Franciscan Alliance, called it "a direct attack on religion and First Amendment rights." Bishop Dale Melczek, of the Gary Diocese, has sent a letter to all parishes, stating, "We cannot — we will not — comply with this unjust law."

This is the time for all Americans, not just Catholics, to rally in defense of conscience.

To explain various ways we can resist this edict, noted attorney and activist John Jakubczyk will speak Feb. 19 at the St. Paul Church Social Hall, 1855 Harrison Blvd., Valparaiso. The program is scheduled for 1:15 to 3:15 p.m.

Jakubczyk has long been active in defense of freedoms of speech and assembly throughout our nation. After his presentation, there will be open discussion on the best responses to this challenge.

Don't miss it. There's no charge, and a light lunch and child care will be provided.

Richard Stith is a Valparaiso University School of Law professor and an anti-abortion activist.