Catholic Senators Vote Against Freedom of Conscience for Health Care Workers

Troubling news comes from CNA about a majority of Catholic senators voting against a conscience protection amendment yesterday that keeps health care workers from being forced to participate in abortion-related and other morally objectionable services.

Senator Tom Colburn’s amendment states, "To protect the freedom of conscience for patients and the right of health care providers to serve patients without violating their moral and religious convictions."

The amendment was voted down by a margin of 41-56, in which a majority of Catholic Senators voted against the amendment 9-16. The failure to pass this legislation now leaves the door open for the Obama Administration to rescind the law by executive order and force health workers to compromise their moral convictions.

A good number of senators voted in favor of this amendment suggesting it was a reasonable amendment.  It wasn't a matter of restricting abortion but of protecting freedom of conscience, not for some obscure cultish scruple, but in a hotly contested moral arena.  This is after Cardinal George's very public appeal to Catholics to advocate for these conscience protection rules.

It is becoming more evident that the Church is the main defenders not only of life, but of freedom.