Argentine Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio has been elected by his peers as the new pope,
becoming the first pontiff from the Americas.

He has chosen to be known as Pope Francis.

Pope Francis I: Let’s begin this long road… let us all behave with love and charity

“Federal government continues to usurp power from individuals, families, and the church and replaces their responsibilities with government entitlements, handouts and regulations,” said Sam Rohrer, President of the Pennsylvania Pastors’ Network. “As we heard Governor Romney say, spending is a moral issue that we must handle effectively for the sake of our children and grandchildren. While the President wants to expand government to meet the needs of the American people — increasing costs and spending even more money — Romney wants to lower spending so that it is more in line with revenues, which he wants to increase through economic growth, while focusing on the private market, individual choice, and personal responsibility, which is more compatible with Biblical teachings.”

Also discussed on the call were the stark differences between the candidates on the role of government in public life.

“As Catholics, we agree with Governor Romney and affirm the dignity and worth of each person,” said Ted Meehan, Executive Director of the PA Catholics’ Network. “Such recognition leads to both democracy and free enterprise. These are the blessings which have brought greatness to America. America’s greatness comes from the virtue and vigor of its people, not from dependence upon its Government.”

Jo Ann Nardelli also gave a powerful account of how, as a long-time member of the Democratic Party who held several prominent offices in Democratic organizations, she recognizes that “the party had left her” and no longer represented her values or beliefs. As a result, she is now a registered Republican.

“I was conflicted over the far-left leanings of the party for the last few years, but when it came to the administration’s stance on same-sex marriage, I knew this party no longer reflected my beliefs and values,” said Nardelli.

In granting the injunction Judge John Kane has said the business does not have to comply with the Health and Human services rule that the provide contraception.

The Newlands are devout Catholics and like the religious institutions that have filed suit against the Obama administration’s mandate that their health insurance cover contraceptive services, the Newlands filed suit against Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius when they were told the mandate applied to small businesses run by Catholics as well as Catholic religious institutions.

Since Hercules Industries would be required to begin offering the new coverage when its self-insured plan renews on November first the group representing Hercules, Alliance Defending Freedom requested a preliminary injunction to prevent the government from enforcing the mandate against the company until a hearing can be conducted..

From the Investors Business Daily:

“In the Department of Justice’s filing in Newland v. Sebelius — a suit brought by William, Paul and James Newland, and their sister, Christine Ketterhagen, the Department of Justice made the assertion — worthy of Stalinist Russia — that Hercules Industries has “made no showing of a religious belief which requires that (it) engage in the (HVAC) business.””

While their faith does not require them to open up an HVAC business, it does require them to act in all aspects of their lives and dealings with others in accordance with their faith. They argued that the mandate to provide contraceptive coverage or face existential fines placed an undue burden on their First Amendment right to practice their faith. The court agreed.

In his order, Kane said the government’s arguments “are countered, and indeed outweighed, by the public interest in the free exercise of religion. The injunction applies only to the Newlands and their family business.

The Family Research Council President Tony Perkins offered additional comments:

“We are pleased that the court is offering temporary protection for the Newland family, ensuring that, for now, the family will not be forced to violate their religious beliefs as demanded by President Obama’s abortion drug and contraceptive mandate. While this ruling is a victory, it is limited to the Newland family which underscores why Congress must act soon to protect all families.

Thousands – if not hundreds of thousands of dollars – in fines await any company that ignores the President’s decree. For the Newlands, and other families like them, the effect on business could be back-breaking new taxes. For the first time in history, the government would become a vehicle for punishing business owners who apply their faith to their professional lives.

Unfortunately, the Obama administration is so hostile to Christians and beholden to the abortion movement that it fails to see the profoundly human element of this mandate and how it impacts everyday life for millions of Americans. The Newlands are the face of family businesses across America which, next week, will be the casualties of an unprecedented war on religious freedom.”

Stay tuned. This story is not finished.

To many outside the church, it appears the Catholics have had a line drawn in the sand; that some things are non-negotiable. Today many other religions, fearing similar loss of religious rights, are joining their Catholic brethren and speaking out.

Catholics Called to Witness  is a faith-based organization dedicated to upholding and promoting religious liberty. People of faith aren’t being told for whom to vote instead they are being reminded of their values.  Their powerful new ad reminds people of faith the importance of standing strong for beliefs.

 

 
This may be the most important election of our country. We cannot allow the doctrines of our religions to be canceled through government order. Our country was founded on religious freedom. When we vote in November we need to support our religious freedom.
 

This is a unique time in American history. Secularism is on the rise and for too long church leaders have taken a back seat and allowed it to happen.  This year may be the line in the sand. Or as Bishop Lori says:

“We have gathered on the eve of the feast of St. Thomas More and St. John Fisher, martyrs who laid down their lives rather than violate their consciences or their sacred principles. Their courageous witness of faith continues to stir the minds and hearts of people yearning for authentic freedom, and specifically, for religious freedom . . . . just as it inspired those who came to Maryland a century later in 1634,seeking not only to worship God freely but indeed to practice their faith publicly.”

This week began A Fortnight For Freedom in the Catholic Church.  A time for Catholics to learn about their religious freedoms and a time for them to speak publicly and not allow the government to force them to betray their religion and principles.

At the same time, other churches are standing with the Catholics. A letter, signed by more than 20 religious leaders, appeals to the Department of Health and Human Services to repeal their mandate regarding contraception. The letter also asks Americans to unite so that no one religion is penalized for refusing to go against its beliefs. “No government should tell religious organizations either what to believe or how to put their beliefs into practice.” Read Letter

The video below from the president of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, Rev. Dr. Harrison is a brief explanation about the letter. He shares the united agreement by many churches how important it is that all religions are allowed to provide services and care in accordance with their religious beliefs.

Martyrs, like Thomas More and John Fisher, paid with their lives when standing on their sacred principles. At the very least we should be willing to speak in support of the Catholics. Maybe our individual beliefs are not in jeopardy at this moment, but if something should change it would be of great comfort to know that other religions are willing to stand with us. Share this with your friends. Stand with Catholics.