The following comes from an Aug. 30 email from the Sycamore Trust, “alumni protecting Notre Dame’s Catholic identity.”
Notre Dame is complying with the abortifacient/contraceptive mandate in renewing its student health insurance program for 2014-15. Aetna, the insurer, will now provide students with free abortifacients and contraceptives. Moreover, the university will itself enroll all otherwise uninsured graduate and foreign students in the plan. Notre Dame has declared in court that to do what it is doing now would be scandalous. And it is doing this voluntarily. It could have dropped the program or switched to a self-insured program free of the mandate.
Read about it in our Special Bulletin-Contraception Mandate
“[T]he mandate would require Notre Dame to commit scandal, which…is particularly grave when associated with those ‘who by nature or office are obliged to teach and educate others’ Catechism of the Catholic Church 2285.”
– Notre Dame district court complaint
….Under the Affordable Care Act (“Obamacare”), Notre Dame is required to provide health insurance to its employees, and under the contraception mandate that insurance must include provision for free abortifacients, contraceptives, and sterilization.
Under the so-called “accommodation” for objecting religious organizations such as Notre Dame, the insurer (or plan administrator in the case of self-insured plans) rather than the organization provides these benefits.
Schools, on the other hand, are not required to offer a health insurance plan to students; but if they do, the school must comply with the contraceptive mandate.
Notre Dame included both employee and student plans in its lawsuit against the mandate. It maintained that under the “accommodation” it would be “facilitating” the provision of abortifacients and contraceptives by its insurer (for students) and plan administrator (for employees); that this would violate its “sincerely held religious beliefs”; and that the regulation was therefore invalid under both the controlling statute and the Constitution.
Almost alone among the scores of religious organizations who have sued, Notre Dame has been denied relief by both the trial and appellate courts while the case is being tried. The trial has been postponed while Notre Dame is considering whether to seek review in the Supreme Court.
In the meantime, Notre Dame decided to comply with the mandate as to employees. Accordingly, Notre Dame employees are now receiving free abortifaciacients and contraceptives from the third party administrator of the plan.
The university did not have to decide about students until the expiration of the 2013-14 plan on August 14.
Notre Dame could have avoided the mandate either by dropping the insurance plan altogether or by self-insuring. The Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities has told us that some Catholic schools have taken one course, some the other, and that, since many other plans are on the same August renewal schedule as Notre Dame, more may do so now. Ave Maria and the Franciscan University in Steubenville, for example, dropped their plans some time ago.
There do not appear to be major obstacles to this course. Whereas the employee plan is a significant part of compensation, students are responsible for their own health costs and pay the entire premium. Even if the group plan rates are in some cases lower than those available under individual policies, Notre Dame surely has the resources to take any additional cost into account in awarding financial aid.
But the wonderfully appealing consideration is that dropping the plan would turn Obamacare on itself because under Obamacare students may (1) remain on their parents’ plans until age 26 and (2) take advantage of the premium subsidies.
With the low income of typical graduate students, the subsidies would have a major impact. For example, in terms of orders of magnitude rather than precise calculations, the monthly cost for an individual with an annual income of $17,235 would be $57 with the subsidy as against $193 under the Notre Dame plan.
If the university wished nonetheless to continue a student plan, it could simply have converted its insured plan into a self-insured plan.
For reasons both complex and immaterial, in contrast to self-insured employee plans, self-insured student plans are not subject to the mandate. (See American College Health Association, Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities and the administration.) Some 200,000 students were enrolled in self-insured plans and some 800,000 in insured plans last year.
Presumably the switch would not be administratively demanding, for the administrator of Notre Dame’s employee plan, Meritain, is a subsidiary of Aetna, the insurer of the student plan.
But we have just learned, after considerable difficulty, that Notre Dame has not elected either of these courses. Instead, it is offering the insured program for the coming academic year, and accordingly Aetna will provide free abortifacients and contraceptives to student enrollees.
Nor did the university stop with simply offering the plan. It is forcing graduate and foreign students into it unless they prove they have other plans satisfactory to Notre Dame….
To read more from the Sycamore Trust about Notre Dame’s secularization, click here.
Notre Dame and other Catholic universities ceased to be so a long time ago. They no longer resemble what they were when they were founded. They, like so many in the decades after Vatican II, have embraced the ways of the world. The Bride of Christ has been abused by those entrusted with Her care. Just look at Timothy Cardinal Dolan’s acceptance of Sodomite participation in the St. Patrick’s Day parade next year in New York City. Truth is no longer upheld. Instead the modernists are determined to follow satan and his minions into hell. With the Synod on the family next month convened by progressive minded bishops, the schism of the Church is only going to be more apparent. The Truth cannot be changed or undermined by the Pope or any bishop or synod. What we are experiencing in our times in diabolical disorientation. Good is bad, bad is good. Novelties good, tradition bad. Silliness good, solemnity bad. Fitting in with the world good, proclaiming the timeless Truth of God, bad. God have mercy on us. May Our blessed Mother pray for us. May St. Michael defend the Church from the assaults of the devil. +JMJ+
This is all true, and I am deeply sad! Before Vatican II– the idea of “protecting Catholic identity,” would have been a big laugh!! Everyone, worldwide, knew well, the “identity” of a Catholic! So simple! This is the result of Vatican II’s false “ecumenism!” A RIDICULOUS Council, I have always thought! It destroyed our Church, and everything in it! Notre Dame will have a horrible price to pay, when her false leaders, “wolves in sheep’s clothing”— are called to answer for their sins, before Almighty God!! Also, I am deeply sad at the news that the Cause of Canonization for beloved Archbishop Sheen has been ended, due to Cardinal Dolan’s decision not to allow the necessary exhumation of Sheen’s body! I have been so disgusted, anyway, with Dolan– I could just die! I think Notre Dame should long ago have been told, that it is no longer recognized by the Church, as a Catholic institution, and to remove the name, “Notre Dame,” honoring the Blessed Mother! Let them have their corrupt, false, intellectual “charade,” without God, like a bunch of ignorant, bullying atheists, attacking and crucifying Christ! Go to Satan, your true Master, you corrupt, intellectual IMBECILES!! When will the Devil ever stop his evil work, in our Church??
The courage of martyrs, I tell you.
In the 1960’s, Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen told parents NOT to send their children to Catholic Universities and Colleges as they would loose their faith. He was right, and he was speaking about Notre Dame. This is the same institution that gave Obama a reward. This once fine Catholic university has not been Catholic for over 50 years. Our Lady is disgraced knowing that a place named after her is the cause of many students loosing their faith and their souls to the devil.
Is Father Jenkins still running Notre Dame? He’s the one who had an 84 year old priest handcuffed and arrested for walking on the sidewalk praying the Rosary while Obama was there receiving an honorary degree! Notre Shame!
John,
That 84 year old priest was also a highly decorated retired Army Lt. Colonel or even Full Colonel who had no problem wearing patched shoes. When he knelt, which was often, you could see the holes in his soles! FR. NORMAN WESLIN!
God bless, yours in Their Hearts,
May God have mercy on an amoral Amerika and His Church!
Viva Cristo Rey!
Kenneth M. Fisher
Abstinence prevents unwanted pregnancies, obviating the need for an abortion. Since Notre Dame is allegedly a Catholic school, I wonder if any place in the curriculum they teach abstinence from sexual activity, except with one’s spouse within a lawful marriage.
The US Center for Disease Control (CDC) states that ABSTINENCE is also the best preventative against Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs).
The Federal and State Governments spend billions on advertising against cigarette smoking, yet STDs are far more dangerous, prevalent, and costly than cigarettes ever were.
Why don’t the Governments have an ABSTINENCE campaign on TV, radio, etc ?
The US Center for Disease Control (CDC) states that ABSTINENCE is also the best preventative against Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs).
The Federal and State Governments spend billions on advertising against cigarette smoking, yet STDs are far more dangerous, prevalent, and costly than cigarettes ever were.
Why don’t the Governments have a sexual ABSTINENCE campaign on TV, radio, Hollywood movies, etc ?
Report abuses of the Faith to the appropriate Diocese Bishops regarding Colleges and Universities that call themselves “Catholic”.
(And the US Papal Nuncio if necessary.)
The Diocese Bishop has ultimate responsibility for everything “Catholic” within his own Diocese, and has the authority to revoke the advertising / use of the name “Catholic” in non-compliant cases.
Code of Canon Law: 793 – 821.
https://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG1104/_INDEX.HTM
and
Apostolic Constitution on Catholic Universities “Ex Corde Ecclesiae”
https://www.vatican.va/holy_father/john_paul_ii/apost_constitutions/documents/hf_jp-ii_apc_15081990_ex-corde-ecclesiae_en.html
It is always helpful if you include appropriate quotes from the CCC, GIRM (General Instruction of the Roman Missal), Code of Canon Law, and/or the appropriate Church document such as “Ex Corde Ecclesiae” which can be found on the Vatican web site.
This takes your statement out of “personal opinion”, and squarely on official Church teaching.
Thanks for the guidance MIKE. Keep up the good fight and Keep it up on telling the truth!
Don’t forget ND was the instigator behind the infamous Land O Lakes statement of 1967. It continues to bear it’s rotten fruit. Despite detestably remaining under the name of our Blessed Mother, the University of ND is not Catholic.
All Catholic education leaders (mostly priests from religious orders) who signed the infamous “Land of Lakes” agreement in 1967, removing their Catholic colleges and universities from Church control, should have been kicked out of the Church! And their educational institutions should have been told, likewise, that they are no longer recognized as “Catholic!” Our Church needs to be totally honest about this– and also, warn all Catholic parents, NOT to send their kids to these schools!
Oh really? When did the Holy Cross priests & brothers cease to be Catholic?
PJT, are you aware of the terrible evils of Fr. John Jenkins, President of Notre Dame, and some of his fellow Holy Cross Fathers?? One can hardly call such men “Catholic,” nor even “Christian!”
One more nail in the coffin of the Catholic Church in the West. Truly these are dark days.
Only one thing can save us now. Michael Voris must be elected Pope!!!!
I will take Bishop Fellay
Yesterday, some very disturbing news came, which shows that things are getting worse, and not better. Two pertain to New York, and to Cardinal Dolan. He has refused to let the body of Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen to be moved to Peoria, IL for the beatification process. Secondly, Dolan will allow Sodomites to march in the St. Patrick’s Day Parade. And lastly, the bishop of Pittsburgh wants Catholics to pray with non Catholics, but not with traditional Catholics.Hello! What is going on? These are NOT signs of a vibrant Christ centered religion, but of something coming from Satan, or the anti-Christ. I believe only God can save the Catholic Church from the rot and self destruction that is engulfing her. The enemy is within, and is doing a great job of annihilating the Mystical Body of Christ. Our Lady foretold this. Ave Maria Purissima!
Jesusita, it is important that you get your facts straight when you post here.
1) the St. Patrick’s Parade is not run by the Archbishop but by a separate corporation
2) It is that corporation that caved in on letting gays into the parade because a broadcasting company said they would not televise the parade if their gay employees could not participate
3) the Archbishop was named Grand Marshall before the announcement about the gays. He could, however, decline the invitation as many would like him to do
4) the Bishop of Pittsburgh participated in a city wide prayer and praise service with other denominations. Nothing wrong with that.
5) the Bishop of Pittsburgh asked Catholics not to participate with parishes staffed by an order of priests that is not in communion with the Catholic Church. They are not Traditional Catholics, they are in schism with the Church. Traditional Catholics are in communion with Rome.
To avoid the Mortal Sin of Scandal,
and the public advertising and promotion of the mortal sin of the homosexual lifestyle –
1) Cardinal Dolan must boycott the St. Patrick’s Parade;
2) He must request that all Catholics boycott the St. Patrick’s Parade.
– – – – – – – – – – – – – –
Any University or College that advertises itself as “Catholic” must adhere to:
1) All the teachings of the Church in the “Catechism of the Catholic Church, Second Edition”;
2) Code of Canon Law: 807 – 814
https://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG1104/__P2O.HTM
3) Apostolic Constitution: “EX CORDE ECCLESIAE”
https://www.vatican.va/holy_father/john_paul_ii/apost_constitutions/documents/hf_jp-ii_apc_15081990_ex-corde-ecclesiae_en.html
No other agreements over-ride these Church Documents.
Each Diocese Bishop is responsible for everything “Catholic” within his own Diocese, and this includes Colleges and Universities that falsely advertise themselves as “Catholic”.
He has the authority and duty to publically have them remove all advertising as “Catholic” if it should become necessary, and publically warn all Catholics about them not being Catholic.
Once again Bob One you are wrong SSPX is not in schism with Rome, this is the lie that liberals love to tell. If they were then please explain why just recently they held mass at St. Peter’s in Rome????
I will make a deal with you, I will agree that the SSPX is in schism the minute the LCWR is excommunicated…