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August 22, 2011
St. Gianna Physician’s Guild today launched an online petition www.StopTheBirthControlMandate.com) requesting the Obama Administration and Secretary of Health and Human Services, Kathleen Sebelius, to immediately withdraw all references to contraception and contraception counseling from the “Guidelines for Women’s Preventive Services” under The Affordable Care Act, and to provide a conscience clause to protect the religious freedom and beliefs of Catholics.
On August 1, 2011 the Department of Health and Human Services directed by Kathleen Sebelius, a Catholic, adopted new guidelines for women’s health that stipulates mandatory coverage be provided for surgical sterilization, all prescription contraceptives approved by the FDA -- including drugs like Ella that can cause abortions in the early weeks of pregnancy – as well as counseling to promote them.
“We are going to send a message to the Obama Administration that this contraception mandate is wrong, discriminatory and violates the religious rights of Catholics all across America,” stated the Guild’s president, Thomas McKenna.
The Obama administration is taking heat from many Catholic leaders including the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Cardinal Daniel DiNardo, Archbishop of Galveston-Houston and chairman of the USCCB Committee on Pro-Life Activities, said: “Those who sponsor, purchase and issue health plans should not be forced to violate their deeply held moral and religious convictions in order to take part in the health care system or provide for the needs of their families or their employees.” “To force such an unacceptable choice would be as much a threat to universal access to health care as it is to freedom of conscience.”
St Gianna Physician’s Guild (www.StGiannaPhysicians.org) was founded to unite and encourage Catholic physicians, as well as others in the health care profession, to promote and defend Catholic principles in a public way and to inspire sanctification in their lives.
The petition can be signed at: www.StopTheBirthControlMandate.org
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The Conference in Kansas City on July 23 entitled "Being Faithful even unto Death: Catholic Wisdom on the Treatment of the Disabled and Dying," sponsored by St. Gianna Physician's Guild drew a sold out, standing room only crowd. Attendees traveled from 17 states and included physicians, psychologists, administrators, attorneys, religious and many others.
The powerful line up of speakers was headlined by the beloved Cardinal Raymond Burke who delivered a powerful address framing the Church's position on suffering and care of the disabled and dying. Other speakers included Bobby Schindler and Suzanne Vitadomo, siblings of the late Terri Schiavo who now advocate for these issues for families and patients through the Terri Schiavo Life and Hope Network, Peter Breen of the Thomas More Society, Dr. Austin Welsh a geriatrician and special guest Gianna Emanuela Molla, the daughter of St. Gianna who traveled here from Italy.
"The entire day exceeded all of our expectations. The atmosphere in the room when discussing and analyzing the difficult bioethical issues surrounding the care of the disabled and elderly and the momentum in society to euthanize them was that of a family gathering," said Thomas McKenna, Founder and President of St. Gianna Physician's Guild and sponsor of the event. "The importance of these issues was underscored by the participation of both dioceses of Kansas City, KS and Kansas City -- St. Joseph. It was a great blessing to have Cardinal Burke, Archbishop Naumann and Bishop Finn with us throughout the entire day."
Participants agreed that a highlight of the day came when Gianna Emmanula Molla delivered her first talk since the death of her father entitled: "My mother, St. Gianna, and the legacy she left behind." This beautiful talk gave insight to the spirituality of St. Gianna's husband and family since her death in 1962. Gianna and her siblings represent the first time ever that children were present at the canonization of their own mother.
Cardinal Burke said: "The conference addressed one of the most critical questions regarding respect for human life in our nation. It was outstanding and very edifying for me and I was very pleased to be a part of it."
A set of the conference talks will soon be available on St. Gianna Physician's Guild web site www.StGiannaPhysicians.org. |
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 On Wednesday, April 21st St. Gianna Physician’s Guild President, Thomas McKenna, appeared on the Eternal Word Television Network’s “Live” program with Fr. Mitch Pacwa to discuss “Catholic Doctors in the House.” The show focused on the goals and activities of the Guild as well as the virtuous life of their patron, St. Gianna Beretta Molla.
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