“Liz Farrar, a spokeswoman for Ellsworth, told CNN that some two dozen Democratic lawmakers made it clear that they needed assurances from the Catholic bishops before they could sign on -- and that the religious group made clear it wanted to bolster the abortion restrictions. Share your thoughts on the health care debate

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and other leaders were negotiating with the Catholic bishops and their representatives on Friday.”

From a CNN story today.   My question is when did the Catholic Church become part of the Government?  Why do we need to have their permission to run this country?  The Catholic Church has a long history of interference in governments and law making, usually to the determent of the people.  They seem not to have understood the concept of Separation Of Church and State.  Most of America is not Catholic, and the Catholic Church pushing their brand of morality down America’s throat is, in my opinion, immoral and dangerous. 

Some of the worst laws that affected and oppressed native tribes were instigated and carried out by the Catholic Church, and others.  What right does the Catholic Church have to determine the rights of non-catholics?    Will the next interference from the church be birth control.?  This is a male dominated institution that has historically oppressed women and still does to a large extent. 

I say that the Church itself should not be represented in this political arena.  I speak as an ex-catholic and seminarian.  What do you think?