Local Catholics Say New Heath Care Contraceptive Law Violates Religious Beliefs
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Some local Catholics are speaking out against a new health care law. The law requires Catholic organizations, except churches, to provide contraceptive coverage through their company's insurance plan.
The mandate is something some area Catholics believe violates religious freedom.
"The church has a long standing teaching that sex should be unitive, procreative and a joyful expression of love in marriage," said Jann Armantrout, Rochester Diocesan Life Coordinator.
According to Armantrout, the use of contraceptives goes against that teaching. It's a reason why the Diocese is encouraging Catholic members to stand against the new health care contraceptive coverage that religious organizations will now have to provide in insurance plans.
"I think a lot of Catholics are saddened by the decision and I think it's going to be quite an impact on the church and their beliefs," Jeri Reidy, parishioner.
The church however is exempt from the new rules but not non-profit religious employers.
Armantrout says this decision is a real problem.
"That is what brings us to the most damaging part of this..now regulation..is the government is trying to tell people what is an appropriate expression of faith," Armantrout.
According to the U.S. Department of Health, contraceptive coverage in health care plans will provide women with preventative services without having to pay deductibles or co-pays.
"Institutions will have the options to either comply or they will have to withdraw from providing health insurance and then they will be fined dramatically," said Armantrout.
"I think it's a decision that each institution should make for itself," said Reidy.
At mass Sunday at St. Paul's Church in Webster parishioners were greeted with bulletins that included a letter from Rochester Bishop Matthew Clark. In the letter, Clark urges the Catholic community to contact its local Congressional representative and lobby against the law and pray the decision is reversed.
Something longtime parishioners like the Ralph Bodensteiner says he just might do.
"We might because we feel strongly about it, not that we are saints, but we do have our principles," said Bodensteiner.
Rochester Diocese