Health Care Reform Must Protect Life, Dignity of All, Cardinal DiNardo says
October 29, 2009
MEDIA RELEASE
For Immediate Release: Oct. 29, 2009
Contact: Jenny Faber, Director of Communications
Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston
jfaber@archgh.org
713.652.8223
Health Care Reform Must Protect Life, Dignity of All, Cardinal DiNardo says
HOUSTON – With the debate and decisions on health care reform soon reaching a decisive moment, Daniel Cardinal DiNardo of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston is joining his brother bishops in asking Catholics to support genuine, life-affirming reform of our nation's health care system.
Today, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops asked its member bishops to distribute materials that would activate Catholics to support reform that protects the life and dignity of all, from the moment of conception to natural death. Cardinal DiNardo is supporting this request by asking all local pastors to:
* Read the attached "Pulpit Announcement" and "Prayer Petition" at Masses this weekend, Oct. 31 – Nov. 1;
* Encourage parish-wide distribution of the attached "Bulletin Insert," which assists parishioners in sending a message to Congress;
* Direct parishioners to these health care reform Web sites for updates, tools and resources:
o The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, www.usccb.org/healthcare
o The Texas Conference of Catholic Bishops, www.txcatholic.org
o The Archdiocesan Website, www.archgh.org
"After receiving materials regarding the health care debate from the U.S. Bishops' Conference yesterday, I am compelled to urge the Catholic faithful to pray that Congress will act to insure that needed reform will truly protect the life, dignity and health care of all," Cardinal DiNardo said. "Health care reform is a critical concern in Texas, which has one of the highest numbers of uninsured persons in the nation. We need reform that protects life, not threatens it. We need a bill that provides adequate access to health care for immigrants, the poor and uninsured."
Earlier this week, the Texas Bishops also issued a statement expressing support for reform of our nation's health care system in ways that respect the lives of all human persons, while providing affordable access to health care for all. All materials, including this press release and the Texas Bishops' statement, are available at www.archgh.org.
The Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston serves 1.5 million Catholics in 10 counties. It is the largest Roman Catholic diocese in Texas and the 11th largest in the United States.