Should abortion coverage be included in health care reform?
It's a question that's sparking debate and discussion across Virginia and the country.
Yesterday, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops said it is the responsibility of church leaders to raise moral concerns in the health care debate.
Jeff Caruso from the Virginia Catholic Conference and a spokesperson for the catholic church in Virginia says the church has not only the right to encourage parishioners to participate in the political process, but has a moral duty to do so.
Caruso says the church's stance on health care reform is clear. It prohibits abortion funding from the feds, and supports health insurance for all.
"Whether you're richer or poor, whether your born an immigrant and whether you have employment or not", says Caruso.
It's even encouraging parishioners to send that message to Congress.
Last week, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops sent out a nationwide bulletin insert asking all parishes across the country to encourage church members to take action.
It states the bishop's stance on health care, and ways for church members to contact members of Congress, including phone numbers and websites.
Caruso says the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops will continue to press the issue of health care with lawmakers.
In fact, the Wall Street Journal says representatives of the group held last minute meetings with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi just before the House Bill was passed a week and a half ago.
It's a question that's sparking debate and discussion across Virginia and the country.
Yesterday, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops said it is the responsibility of church leaders to raise moral concerns in the health care debate.
Jeff Caruso from the Virginia Catholic Conference and a spokesperson for the catholic church in Virginia says the church has not only the right to encourage parishioners to participate in the political process, but has a moral duty to do so.
Caruso says the church's stance on health care reform is clear. It prohibits abortion funding from the feds, and supports health insurance for all.
"Whether you're richer or poor, whether your born an immigrant and whether you have employment or not", says Caruso.
It's even encouraging parishioners to send that message to Congress.
Last week, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops sent out a nationwide bulletin insert asking all parishes across the country to encourage church members to take action.
It states the bishop's stance on health care, and ways for church members to contact members of Congress, including phone numbers and websites.
Caruso says the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops will continue to press the issue of health care with lawmakers.
In fact, the Wall Street Journal says representatives of the group held last minute meetings with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi just before the House Bill was passed a week and a half ago.
