With a potential lawsuit looming, the federal government has issued a waiver to allow a Catholic hospital in Oklahoma to keep the flame of its long-lit sanctuary candle burning, which, in the Catholic tradition, symbolizes the presence of Christ.
Department of Health and Human Services
Catholic Hospital Threatens To Sue U.S. Government Over Order to Extinguish Sanctuary Candle
A Catholic health system in Oklahoma has threatened to sue the federal government for violating its First Amendment rights over a decision to deny re-accreditation to one of its hospitals if it doesn’t follow an order to extinguish a long-lit sanctuary candle for safety purposes.
HHS Urged to ‘Reconsider Misguided Mandate’ on Transgender Procedures
Catholic hospitals and their workers “must not be coerced by the government to violate their consciences” by being forced to perform “gender transition procedures” against their religious beliefs, said two U.S. cardinals writing in America magazine.
Bishops: HHS Proposals are ‘Violation of Religious Freedom’ and Bad Medicine’
Proposed changes to the Affordable Care Act announced by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) on July 25 are “a violation of religious freedom and bad medicine,” according to multiple U.S. bishops’ conference chairmen.
HHS Rescinds Rule Protecting Faith-Based Foster Care, Adoption Agencies
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Nov. 18 rescinded a Trump administration rule that ensured faith-based social service agencies that provide adoption and foster care would continue receiving federal funding for services that follow their religious beliefs.
Efforts to Amend House Appropriations Bills With Pro-Life Riders Fail
As he offered three amendments to the State Department appropriations bill before the House July 28, U.S. Rep. Chris Smith, R-N.J., asked his House colleagues in remarks from the floor, “Where is the justice and empathy and compassion for unborn babies?”