Archbishop Timothy M. Dolan of New York, president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, said that he and other bishops were waiting to see the details of proposed changes to a federal rule on birth control that President Obama announced Friday before deciding whether to embrace them. The rule would require religiously affiliated hospitals and universities to provide free contraception to their female employees.
As my colleague, Helene Cooper reports, the “accommodation” made by the president would allow such institutions and organizations to avoid paying for contraceptive care. Female employees, however, would be able to gain free access to birth control through their insurance plans, Mr. Obama said.
For months, Catholic bishops have been preparing a huge campaign to fight the new rule, my colleague Laurie Goodstein reported Friday.
In addition to reading letters from bishops about religious freedom at Masses across the country last weekend, the bishops also turned to YouTube, Twitter and Facebook to make their case that the dispute was not about birth control but government interference with religious freedom.
“The government has no right … to make you obey something that is contrary to your conscience.” – Archbishop Dolan ow.ly/8YiRD
— USCCB (@USCCB) February 9, 2012
This week, Speaker John A. Boehner promised legislation aimed at banning the rule. On Friday, some members of Congress used Twitter to dismiss Mr. Obama’s compromise approach, including Representative Marlin Stutzman, Republican from Indiana. Senator Claire McCaskill, Democrat from Missouri, welcomed the change.
POTUS might have shuffled the deck but he’s playing the same game. His #HHS announcement changes nothing. bit.ly/xBeZ93
— Rep. Marlin Stutzman (@RepStutzman) February 10, 2012
Glad this got worked out today.Women get access to birth control, and Catholic Health Assoc agrees with new policy.
— Claire McCaskill (@clairecmc) February 10, 2012
Some people on Twitter are using the hashtag, #iusebirthcontrol, to voice their dismay over seeing politics and religion entering the discussion about the delivery of women’s health care services.
I was raised Catholic & #iusebirthcontrol It’s none of yr damn business why. Women shouldn’t have to justify sex,health,reproductive rights.
— Andrea Bronson (@AndreaBronson) February 10, 2012
Another Twitter user wondered if Catholic leaders would now turn their attention to other government laws and policies that are not consistent with church teachings.
#altuniverse Starting tomorrow, looking fwd to the same level of anger from @USCCB to pressure Republicans on #DeathPenalty and #DreamAct
— Christopher Duffner (@chrisduffner) February 10, 2012
