FOCA Footloose: a game of chicken

A few weeks ago, priests were encouraged to use their Sunday homilies to talk about the Freedom of Choice Act which is now stewing in the Congressional pot much the way Three Witches hovered over their cauldron, burning and bubbling.

It's a veritable showdown between the pro-abortion crowd that holds the strings and the Church that has been slow to act with consequence. The pro-abortion crowd has revved its engine. They don't believe the Catholic Church is capable of bold action.

I'll be the first to admit the Church in America has recently lacked leadership in moral crisis (we miss you Cardinal O'Connor). The pedophile priests and bishops aiding and abetting made God himself angry. Plus there is the the unwillingness to enforce Ex Corde Ecclesiae in schools and universities and call out rogue politicians.... you get my point.

(Instead I think some bishops meditate on their example of Christ who saw the money changers in the Temple and, sitting down with them, He listened to their concerns and and asked how they could work together. Is that how it goes?)

Catholic hospitals are 16% of our nation's healthcare facilities. FOCA would compel these hospitals to perform abortions. Freedom of religion... goes out the window. The conscience of a pro-life health care provider.... goes out the window. What's the proper answer when the Church is threatened by such overreaching legislation? Shut down the hospitals.

I'm holding out for a hero.

The way I see it, the Catholic Church has to call their bluff. Close every hospital, every health clinic, every facility. Fire every Dr. Cox, Carla, Elliott, J.D. and Janitor at Sacred Heart.

Then tell Mr. Obama et al to come up with a contingency plan for the roughly 80 million people treated at Catholic hospitals. Don't forget the rural communities, native American communities, inner city communities who are all treated by Catholic health care services.

My advice to the bishops: don't play with the buckets.

Drive straight- head on- into an impending collision. Be ready act boldly. If necessary, ties your shoelaces to the brake so you don't jump. It worked for Kevin Bacon.

Someone has to stand up to tyranny, Bishops. Take the lead on this one. We will follow.