World News
Cardinal's prayer at Democratic convention alludes to sensitive issues
Published: September 7, 2012
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (CNS) -- When Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan of New York offered the closing benediction Sept. 6 at the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, he made allusions to issues that have put the U.S. church and the White House at odds with each other. "Renew in all our people a profound respect for religious liberty: the first, most cherished freedom bequeathed upon us at our founding," Cardinal Dolan prayed, an apparent reference to an ongoing dispute between the U.S. bishops and the White House over a mandate from the federal Department of Health and Human Services that would require most religious employers to offer contraceptive coverage in violation of church teaching. The other options would be to drop all health coverage for its workers or risk paying steep fines if contraceptive coverage is not included in their insurance package. Dozens of Catholic institutions have filed suit over the mandate, and the bishops' early-summer "Fortnight for Freedom" was an effort to raise awareness of the issue. "We ask your benediction on those waiting to be born, that they may be welcomed and protected," prayed Cardinal Dolan, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. While the cardinal uttered a similar phrase in his closing benediction the week before at the Republican National Convention, the GOP's platform on abortion is generally viewed as closer to the Catholic Church's teaching than the Democrats', which supports legal abortion.
Copyright (c) Catholic News Service /U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. The CNS news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed, including but not limited to such means as framing or any other digital copying or distribution method, in whole or in part without the prior written authority of Catholic News Service .
