Catholic Diocese Speaks Out Against Part Of Health Care Reform Law

The Catholic Diocese of El Paso is circulating a letter meant to encourage parishioners to oppose a part of the Obama administration’s health care reform law.

“We cannot — we will not — comply with this unjust law,” reads the letter, which is signed by El Paso’s Apostolic Administrator and Bishop-Designate of Fresno Armando Ochoa.

The letter refers to a recently announced ruling which requires virtually all employers to provide women workers health care plans that include contraceptive services.

Catholic teachings oppose contraceptive use. Versions of the letter signed by Ochoa have been popping up in parishes across the country. Part of it reads, “unless this rule is overturned, we Catholics will be compelled to be prepared either to violate our consciences, or to drop health coverage for our employees (and suffer the penalties for doing so.)”

Churches themselves are exempt from the law, but other groups affiliated with the religion, including non-profits, schools and hospitals, must comply by August 2013.

In response to concerns over the law, Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius issued a statement that reads in part, “I believe this proposal strikes the appropriate balance between respecting religious freedom and increasing access to important preventive services.”

ABC-7 extended the opportunity for a representative with the Catholic Diocese of El Paso to comment on the letter on-camera. No one was made available, but a representative answered some of the following questions:

ABC-7: Why has the Catholic Diocese decided to circulate such a letter? Catholic Diocese of EP: To inform our catholic community of the consequences this ruling will have.

ABC-7: Where has the Diocese posted the letter? Catholic Diocese of EP: The letter was announced to the parish communities.

ABC-7: What kind of feedback from the community has the diocese received regarding the letter? (No response from the Catholic Diocese of EP)

ABC-7: Why is this an ?unjust law?? Catholic Diocese of EP: Because it is against our catholic teachings and threatens our religious liberty and rights of conscience.

ABC-7: What does the church teach when it comes to contraception? Catholic Diocese of EP: Suppressing fertility by using contraception denies part of the inherent meaning of married sexuality and does harm to the couple?s unity. The total giving of oneself, body and soul, to one?s beloved is no time to say: ?I give you everything I am except ? ? the Church?s teaching is not only about observing a rule, but about preserving that total, mutual gift of two persons in its integrity.

ABC-7: What would the Diocese like for the government to do with their ruling? Catholic Diocese of EP: First, we must commit ourselves to prayer so that religious liberty may be restored Second, for more information visit www.usccb.org/conscience