Denver, Colo., Jan 23, 2012 / 22:49 pm
Catholic clergy, university presidents and health care leaders are saying the Obama administration’s decision to mandate contraceptive coverage in health care plans without a broad religious exemption fails to protect the conscience rights of many Americans.
“The inalienable rights guaranteed in our country's founding documents are being trampled,” lamented Archbishop Allen H. Vigneron of Detroit. “Where is the 'liberty' in a decision to intrude on freedom of conscience? The Constitution speaks of ‘freedom of religion,’ not ‘freedom from religion’.”
He said the Department of Health and Human Services is forcing insurers and insurance purchasers to “choose whether or not to violate their moral and religious beliefs.”
The archbishop urged lawmakers to defend the rights of citizens against a “truly unconscionable” government mandate.