Senator Casey - Exactly why is it so difficult for you to understand the need for conscience protections?

This past November, I had the good fortune of going on a retreat led by Pennsylvania's own Father Dennis Wilde, OSA. Father Wilde was arrested on Thursday for his opposition to the HHS mandate....

"STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- The Rev. Denis Wilde, OSA, associate director of the New Dorp-based Priests for Life, was among six people arrested yesterday during a peaceful protest outside the White House.

"Father Wilde was representing Priests for Life at an organized protest of the Health and Human Services contraception mandate. Priests for Life on Wednesday filed a lawsuit against the Obama Administration that seeks to permanently block the implementation of the mandate because they deem it imposes clear violations of conscience upon any American citizens who morally object to abortion and contraception.

"Father Wilde and the other protesters, including the Rev. Pat Mahoney of the Christian Defense Coalition, were cited for 'Failure to obey a lawful order' as they knelt in prayer in front of the White House....

"'Occupy Wall Street protesters have been occupying federal property for months, but when we kneel in prayer, the police are called in and we are arrested,' Father Wilde said." (silive.com, 2/17/12)

As per a February 14th mailing from the Susan B. Anthony List, "President Obama announced a 'compromise' after his mandate forcing religiously-affiliated institutions to pay for insurance coverage of abortifacient pills, contraception, and sterilization caused a national uproar. This compromise – which makes government the arbiter of individual conscience -- can be described in one word: unacceptable....Contact your Senators immediately and ask them to vote for the Blunt Amendment #1520 which will reverse the President’s mandate."

When I called Senator Toomey's office on February 15th, I was immediately advised that he would support the Blunt Amendment. At that time, I did not yet realize that Senator Toomey was one of the original co-sponsors (See pages 35 & 36 of this link.)! Thank you Senator Toomey!

When I called Senator Casey's office that same day, I was told that he'd yet to make a decision on the Blunt Amendment. After commenting that it should not be a difficult call for one who identifies himself as pro life, the phone was hung up on me. Of far more concern to me than the rudeness of Senator Casey's office is the fact that this amendment is a "no brainer" for ANYONE who claims to be pro life.

Senator Casey - Exactly why is it so difficult for you to understand the need for conscience protections?