Hartford, Conn., Jun 25, 2007 / 09:04 am
Connecticut’s Roman Catholic bishops consider a recent bill, which requires all Connecticut hospitals to offer emergency contraception to rape victims, as part of a national assault against religious freedom.
An attorney for Catholic hospitals in the state said the bishops are considering legal action, claiming that the new law, which takes effect Oct. 1, infringes on their constitutional rights, reported The Associated Press.
Similar bills have already passed in Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey and Minnesota.
"If the religious liberty of a Catholic hospital can be violated on this issue, what's next?" asked Bishop William Lori of Bridgeport. "Will the law insist that Catholic hospitals further violate their ethical standards by performing abortions on demand? Or will the law someday force Catholic hospitals to euthanize those deemed not fit to live?"