On December 22, 2012, blogger Robert Quinn forwarded The Daily Caller Executive Editor David Martosko’s article of the same date, “Obamacare could drive Little Sisters of the Poor out of the US” with the comment, “Obama, through fraudulent documents and deceit, gets to "play" president not once but twice. Now he's "playing" GOD! What's next?”
In DC Editor Martosko’s column It is explained that the Little Sisters of the Poor, is a very well known and respected Catholic religious institute for women, founded in the 19th century by a young woman who later gained the eminence of sainthood, Jeanne Jugan of France. Her mission and that of the organization she conducted, ‘The Little Sisters of the Poor’ was to care for the impoverished elderly who were cast into the streets of France.
Martosko wrote of St. Jugan’s beginnings at her mission by “welcoming an elderly lady into her home and work … that began.” This initial care offering to one lady continued as “Jugan gradually built up homes in and around Rennes … going on the streets of France to collect money for her organization.”
According to American Foundations, the online homepage of the organization today, “the first group of Little Sisters destined for America leaves the motherhouse on August 28, 1868; Jeanne Jugan helps to see them off. After a long journey by boat they set foot on American soil in Brooklyn, New York, on September 13, 1868. No one speaks English.
“Soon after arriving in Brooklyn the Little Sisters receive their first donation, a gift of $20.00, from Rev. Isaac Hecker, founder of the Paulists. After welcoming their first Residents, the Sisters write back to the motherhouse: “The public appear delighted to see that we are willing to work for the poor; that we ask no endowment; that we desire to trust in Providence and in the generosity of the public.”
DC Editor Martosko adds that currently, “The Little Sisters of the Poor take care of elderly patients in 31 countries, (including homes in Hong Kong, Taiwan, India, Penang, New Zealand and Philippines), continuing in their original purpose of caring for the elderly, but on Dec. 16 a (U. S. Congressional) representative told the congregation of Saint Raymond of Peñafort Church in Springfield, Va., that her order could conceivably be forced to pull out of the United States if paying fines and penalties is the only alternative to compromising on the doctrines of their religion.
“A religious order of nuns is concerned about its future presence in the United States because of Obamacare’s impact on its charitable operations.
The Little Sisters of the Poor told The Daily Caller that it may not qualify for a long-term exemption from Obamacare’s healthcare mandate. The law requires the order to provide government-approved health insurance to its 300 sisters who tend to the elderly in 30 U.S. cities.
“The exception is needed, said Sister Constance Carolyn Veit, the Little Sisters’ communications director, because Catholic teaching opposes contraception and medical treatments that cause sterility or can cause abortions.
“President Barack Obama’s health-care overhaul law requires employers to include those services in qualifying health care plans they provide for their employees. Failure to comply will bring hefty fines — even for religious orders whose members have taken vows of poverty.”
It is my personal feeling that Obama cares not one whit about the ‘Little Sisters of the Poor’, in fact, I believe that due to their Catholic religious persuasion, he is eager to see them fail in the United States due to his continued dislike for anything Christian. Their failure because of Obama’s bigoted restrictions will cause many of the elderly poor to die of starvation.
If the Little Sisters were of Islam following, they not only would get a free ride from the onerous taxes Obama will swamp them with, but he would probably find some method to GIVE them more of our taxpayer dollars to aid their mission.
The sixty some odd million (and “odd” is the correct word) voters for Obama in the recent presidential election, made up primarily of unemployed, welfare, illegal aliens and other government dole and gift recipients would have no reason to vote for the old fashioned notion of loyalty and perhaps place their hand-outs in jeopardy; but the others who were once conscientious citizens with the rare attribute of love of country, now lost in blind trust in an incompetent playboy for a ruler, are clueless.
When a wonderful group of citizens give up their daily existences to help the less fortunate among us without burdening our taxpayers additionally, they should not be bludgeoned with unfair and unethical dictates that violate their religions. They should be praised and assisted in their helpful missions.
Gerald A. “Jerry” McConnell, 92, of Hampton, died Sunday, February 19, 2017, at the Merrimack Valley Hospice House in Haverhill, Mass., surrounded by his loved ones. He was born May 27, 1924 in Altoona, Pa., the fifth son of the late John E. and Grace (Fletcher) McConnell.
Jerry served ten years with the US Marine Corps and participated in the landing against Japanese Army on Guadalcanal and another ten years with the US Air Force. After moving to Hampton in 1957 he started his community activities serving in many capacities.
He shared 72 years of marriage with his wife Betty P. (Hamilton) McConnell. In addition to his wife, family members include nieces and nephews.
