The Texas Catholic Conference expresses both dismay and  offence at the January 20 decision by the Obama administration to require health insurers provide sterilization, contraceptives, and abortion-inducing drugs as part of their health plans as early as this summer.

The White House announcement ignored several religious groups--most prominently the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB)--who had sought an exemption from the requirement based on conscience and religious principles.  Such exemptions have been staple of countless federal laws in the past, yet the Administration chose to limit the definition of  conscience protection only to religious organizations "employing or serving people who follow its religion."

"This decision is outrageous.  It is an unprecedented and untenable abrogation on religious freedom in the United States,"  said Bishop Kevin Vann of the Diocese of Fort Worth.  “This ruling forces Catholic institutions--hospitals, schools, social service agencies--to either violate the fundamental tenets of their faith or stop offering health insurance coverage to their employees, students, and clients.”

The bishops of the Texas Catholic Conference have joined with their brother bishops across the United States in promising a legal challenge to the rule, which is part of the Affordable Care Act.  The Texas Catholic Conference is also asking all Catholics to make their voices heard in protest and to ask their elected representatives to restore  the rights of conscience and  rescind the contraceptive mandate of the Obama Administration.  To find your representative and contact information, click here. Click here to contact Senator Cornyn and click here to contact Senator Hutchison.