The following is excerpted from Deal Hudson’s article at InsideCatholic.com:The Congress and the White House have little to fear from the bishops’ official statements opposing the abortion provisions in the health care bill. Unlike with President Barack Obama’s appearance at Notre Dame, there is no chorus of bishops’ voices rising in protest against the bill; most of the Catholics in Congress support it, and mainstream Catholic organizations like Catholic Charities USA and the Catholic Health Association — which some assume speak for the bishops — have also voiced their support.
The overall impression given by Church leadership thus far is that universal health care coverage is so badly needed that they are not willing to endanger the legislation by protesting too loudly against abortion coverage.
Unfortunately, Mr. Hudson is right. Once again, the abortion issue is relegated to the back burner by our leadership.