Pray that governments will respect the consciences of all people who care for the sick and vulnerable. 

Reflect 
An essential part of Christ’s earthly ministry was to cure the sick, and when he sent the Apostles on mission, he commanded them to heal those afflicted by diseases. The Church has carried on the healing work of Christ by building institutions dedicated to medicine and accompaniment of the dying. Some activists and policymakers have sought to undermine the Church’s mission by forcing Catholic hospitals to perform procedures that destroy human life and undermine human dignity, such as sterilization, gender reassignment surgery, and even abortion. While Catholic hospitals face these pressures, individual people of faith who work in secular institutions may find themselves coerced into participating in immoral procedures. For example, nurses have been forced to assist in abortions or risk losing their jobs. Even the prospect of being put into such a situation can have a chilling effect on Christians who are called to serve as medical professionals. Nurses and doctors have the right to be exempted from participating in procedures to which they conscientiously object. 

Act 
The USCCB advocates for policies that respect conscience and the dignity of all human life. Sign up to receive action alerts at www.votervoice.net/USCCB/register and use your voice to advocate for legislation that defends the conscience rights of medical professionals!