How Catholics can fight the HHS mandate

Feb. 15, 2012
A Letter to Catholics Statewide:
    The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recently ruled that Catholic institutions must provide health insurance that offers sterilizations, abortion-inducing drugs and contraceptives. This is a direct attack on the religious liberty of Catholic institutions which serve all people, not just Catholics.
    As we have read, on Friday, Feb. 10, President Obama offered some changes to the original HHS ruling. Instead of Catholic institutions having to provide the objectionable coverage, the insurance companies would do it. There are three major problems with that supposed compromise. First, Catholic institutions would still have to pay for this objectionable coverage. Second, in many cases Catholic dioceses are self-insured. Third, individuals would be forced to pay premiums for this coverage.
So nothing has been fixed by the president’s recent action.
If the administration will not rescind this violation of the First Amendment, then Congress should.
    Please send a message to respectfully request your U.S. senators and congressman to co‐sponsor the Respect for Rights of Conscience Act (H.R. 1179, S. 1467) that has been introduced by Rep. Jeff Fortenberry and Sen. Roy Blunt. This measure ensures that the rights of conscience of Catholic institutions will be respected.
    You can do this by following the link to VoterVoice on the homepage of our website at www.laccb.org.

Sincerely yours in Christ,
Most Rev. Gregory M. Aymond
Archbishop of New Orleans
Most Rev. Robert W. Muench
Bishop of Baton Rouge
Most Rev. Sam G. Jacobs
Bishop of Houma‐Thibodaux
Most Rev. Michael Jarrell Bishop of Lafayette
Most Rev. Ronald P. Herzog Bishop of Alexandria
Most Rev. Glen John Provost
Bishop of Lake Charles
Most Rev. Michael G. Duca, Bishop of Shreveport
Most Rev. Shelton J. Fabre, Auxiliary Bishop of New Orleans