Washington D.C., Feb 13, 2017 / 18:03 pm
Objectors to abortion need stronger conscience protections in federal law, the U.S. bishops have said in a letter to Congress supporting a bill being considered by Congress.
"While existing federal laws already protect conscientious objection to abortion in theory, this protection has not proved effective in practice," the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops said. They said the proposed Conscience Protection Act of 2017 is essential to protect health care providers' fundamental rights and ensure that they are not "forced by government to help destroy innocent unborn children."
Cardinal Timothy Dolan of New York, chair of the U.S. bishops' Committee on Pro-Life Activities, and Archbishop William Lori, who chairs the U.S. bishops' Ad Hoc Committee on Religious Freedom, backed the legislation in a Feb. 8 letter to Congress.
They said the bill would benefit the "great majority" of obstetricians and gynecologists who are unwilling to perform abortions. They said Catholic and other religious health care providers are "especially at risk" of coercive policies related to abortion.