Is not this the issue at hand in the heated controversy over healthcare coverage between the Church and the present administration? The free exercise of religion: this is what is at stake.

The Church that Christ began in this area of the world is flesh and blood, and very much alive. And the Church remains alive and strong when her members faithfully live the teaching of Christ and are unafraid to confront with one Catholic voice any government that tramples their freedom of religion into the ground!

In this most recent ruling on healthcare, a government that avidly promotes freedom of choice has decided not to allow Catholics the freedom to choose. It need not be this way. But, the line has been drawn in the sand. Can Catholics simply accept the fact that the Catholic conscience is not to be tolerated in America?

When human life is trampled underfoot, society no longer has a moral foundation. As Pope Benedict XVI has said, "a society lacks solid foundations when, on the one hand, it asserts values such as the dignity of the person, justice and peace, but then, on the other hand, radically acts to the contrary by allowing or tolerating a variety of ways in which human life is devalued and violated, especially where it is weak or marginalized" (Caritas in Veritate. 15).

The ending of the Gloria remains unchanged. We conclude our joyful praise by acclaiming the very mystery of God who exists from all eternity as the communio of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Into this great mystery, the entire Liturgy lifts us up, giving us a share in the life of the Triune God.