"Promote Human Life"

November 3, 2009

The Year for Priests

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

For several months, following an appearance by Senator Herb Kohl at a Marquette University Law School discussion program, the bishops of Wisconsin have tried to arrange a meeting with the senator to take advantage of an offer to discuss the abortion question as it relates to the current national health care debate.  While we bishops attempted to arrange a time when we could all meet with the senator, including an effort to meet in Washington, the schedules involved and the pressure to move this legislation through Congress made it necessary to meet instead, with Senator Kohl’s executive assistant here in Milwaukee.

Speaking for all of the bishops of Wisconsin, Bishop Sklba and I, joined by John Huebscher and Kim Wadas of the Wisconsin Catholic Conference in Madison, met with Jo Ann Anton at the Cousins Center yesterday, All Souls Day.  The forty minute meeting included all current and pertinent comments from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (Cardinal Rigali and Bishop Murphy) as well as those of the bishops of Wisconsin.  The differences between the Senate and House measures were considered, with a serious emphasis on any inclusion of taxpayer funding for abortion, in addition to issues that might affect Catholic concerns regarding the exercise of conscience.

It was noted, of course, that Senator Kohl is not one of the pivotal legislators involved in this debate.  However, his voice is a strong voice in Washington and he can influence other senators.  His willingness to hear the pro-life bishops of Wisconsin was a significant move forward in attempting to make this health care legislation available to all people—especially the most vulnerable.

The bishops of the Catholic Church have acknowledged for decades that health care reform is a major concern for our country.  Health care is a necessity for all people, especially the poor and the marginalized.  The current administration has made great promises for serious health care reform; but this reform cannot be spiritually or humanly significant if it allows for taxpayer dollars to fund abortion.

Recently, Archbishop Chaput, of Denver, spoke definitively and authoritatively on this issue. You can find his good teaching at this link.  I encourage you to reflect on his words as you consider a response.

I would further encourage you to follow the lead of the bishops and make your voices heard in Washington concerning this important matter.  The USCCB hosts a health care reform web page. 

Please join your bishops as we all strive to promote health care that will serve all human beings and promote human life as a precious gift from God.

Faithfully in Christ,

Most Reverend William Patrick Callahan

Archdiocesan Administrator
Archdiocese of Milwaukee

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