Washington D.C., Apr 2, 2016 / 05:04 am
A proposed conscience protection act for health care professionals who oppose abortion would benefit both medical providers and their patients, U.S. Catholic bishops said Thursday as they urged support among the House of Representatives.
"The Conscience Protection Act will address the deficiencies that block effective enforcement of existing laws, most notably by establishing a private right of action allowing victims of discrimination to defend their own rights in court," Cardinal Timothy Dolan of New York and Archbishop William Lori of Baltimore said in a joint statement.
Cardinal Dolan is chair of the U.S. bishops' committee on pro-life activities, and Archbishop Lori chairs the committee on religious liberty.
Their March 31 statement urged support in the House of Representatives for the proposed Conscience Protection Act, HR 4828.