In the July 4 issue of the Catholic Universe Bulletin, I wrote my article on religious liberty. In fact, the title of the article was ?Religious liberty remains most cherished of American freedoms.?
As you may recall, our Supreme Court issued a decision on June 30 in the Burwell v. Hobby Lobby case. The court upheld the religious freedom of family businesses that object to government-mandated coverage of abortifacients. This decision at that time seemed to look good for other institutions or entities which likewise object to covering in a medical plan certain drugs and services which are contrary to one?s religious beliefs. For example, the Catholic Church has steadfastly objected to coverage for contraceptives, abortion-inducing drugs and devices and sterilization.
What looked like something possibly favorable on June 30, has taken an about face.
Following upon the Burwell v. Hobby Lobby decision, there has been much activity in the Congress and from the executive branch of government. On July 9, Senators Patty Murray from Washington and Mark Udall from Colorado introduced a bill which they named the ?Protect Women?s Health from Corporate Interference Act.? This bill could well threaten the continued viability of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, which was the basis for the Supreme Court?s June 30 decision. Also, this new bill has the potential to threaten other longstanding laws which protect the rights of conscience.
After a comprehensive review of this new bill S.2578, it is clear it contains language which would allow the federal government to mandate any item or service including abortion in almost all health plans. Presently, all 58 Democratic senators and three Republican senators support moving forward with this legislation. It is truly troubling that more than half of the senators would vote for a bill whose purpose would be to reduce the religious freedom of their fellow Americans.
During the days following the Supreme Court?s decision, an interfaith coalition of people sent a letter in defense of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act .In the letter they wrote, ?Congress has never passed legislation with the specific purpose of reducing Americans? religious freedom.? At the very least, these are upsetting times and events and at the worst gravely threatening the very foundation of our country?s identity and mission as found in the Constitution and in the amendments to the Constitution.
The executive branch has responded by attacking religious exemptions in government-funded service programs. There has already been in movement in this direction, with an expected announcement last week. Members of the USCCB have composed an item for the USCCB media blog in which they wrote: ?Lobbying for coercive laws that violate freedom will not promote social justice in the workplace. Nor will it advance the common good to seek to silence debate about sexual morality.?
I urge the faithful to pray that our religious liberty will remain intact and to familiarize yourselves about this issue so that you may be able spokespersons for our American way of life which is grounded solidly in our beginnings.
(The above column by the Most Reverend Richard Lennon, Bishop of Cleveland originally appeared in the Friday, August 1, 2014 issue of the Catholic Universe Bulletin, the official newspaper of the Diocese of Cleveland.)
