Bishop Galante urges protest of health care policy

By GEORGE MAST         February 7, 2012 Courier-Post Staff Bishop Joseph Galante has joined with Catholic leaders across the country in rallying against a health care plan by President Barack Obama’s administration that would require nearly all employers to offer health coverage that includes contraceptives. A letter from Galante, in which he accused the federal government of denying to Catholics the “first and foremost fundamental freedom” of “religious liberty,” was read at parishes in the Diocese of Camden on Sunday. The letter called for parishioners to contact Congress to support legislation to reverse the health care policy. “We cannot — we will not — comply with this unjust law,” Galante said in the letter. “People of faith cannot be made second-class citizens.” A similar message from Bishop David O’Connell was read to parishioners in the Diocese of Trenton last month. At issue is the Jan. 20 announcement of Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius that the nation’s new health care law requires nearly all employers to provide insurance plans that offer free birth control to women. While the Obama administration had already stated that churches and houses of worship would be exempt from that provision, Sebelius said religious-affiliated institutions like hospitals, colleges and charities must comply. Sibelius at that time said her decision “strikes the appropriate balance between respecting religious freedom and increasing access to important preventive services.” Women’s rights groups praised the decision, saying women who work for religious employers should not have to accept a lower standard of health coverage. The issue, however, has become a hot button for Catholics. Peter Feuerherd, director of communications for the Diocese of Camden, said a central issue is the question of religious liberty and the government’s more narrow view of religion than that of the church. Feuerherd said it’s no secret that the Catholic Church’s stance against contraceptives is a “difficult one” for many parishioners. However, he said there is a unity in the belief that the “government should not have the right to define what your teachings are or what your mission is.” “It’s not about the pill. It’s about the Bill of Rights,” he said. “It’s about the First Amendment, the right to religious freedom.” Officials at Our Lady of Lourdes Medical Center in Camden referred questions on Monday to Catholic Health East, which operates 34 East Coast hospitals, including Lourdes. “We are disappointed that the recent announcement by HHS does not grant an exemption to all religious-sponsored institutions,” said a statement from Catholic Health East. “The challenge that these regulations pose for many religious organizations remains unresolved and could undermine current conscience protections in law.” Under the health care law, nonprofit groups that do not currently offer contraceptive coverage because of religious beliefs would have an extra year to comply with the policy. The National Council of Catholic Women, which has some 4,000 chapters across the country, has also taken a stand against the measure. President Judy Powers said in a statement the council is “extremely disappointed by the Obama administration decision” and stands with the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops in urging the ruling be overturned. But Sarah Lipton-Lubet of the American Civil Liberties Union praised the policy, saying religious-based institutions like hospitals and colleges with diverse employees should have to follow the same rules as all other companies. “Taking a job at a hospital or university isn’t the same thing as joining a church,” she said. Planned Parenthood of Southern New Jersey also praises the health care law on its website, which includes a page for supporters to sign a card thanking the president. “Despite incredible pressure from anti-women’s health groups and legislators determined to undermine women’s access to birth control, you stood strong and did the right thing,” the card reads.