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Archbishop calls for action against birth control rule

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By Tom Beyerlein , Staff Writer 8:58 PM Monday, January 30, 2012

Cincinnati Archbishop Dennis M. Schnurr is calling on area Catholics to take action against a federal mandate requiring most employers to provide health coverage, including birth control for their workers,

Schnurr called the provision “an alarming and serious matter” that “strikes at the fundamental right to religious liberty.”

“We cannot – we will not – comply with this unjust law,” Schnurr said in a letter distributed over the weekend to many congregations in the 19-county archdiocese.

Schnurr joined Cleveland Bishop Richard Lennon and Toledo Bishop Leonard Blair in issuing similarly worded letters condemning a U.S. Health and Human Services requirement for health coverage of contraception, abortion-inducing drugs and sterilization. The rule doesn’t apply to churches, but does affect church-affiliated hospitals, colleges and social service agencies. Such institutions have an additional year – until Aug. 1, 2013 – to comply with the rule.

Xavier University spokeswoman Debora DeValle said Xavier also is formulating a response in conjunction with the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities.

In a statement Jan. 20, Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said the rule, part of health care reform, “strikes the appropriate balance between respecting religious freedom and increasing access to important preventive services.”

She said the rule means women “will not have to forego these services because of expensive co-pays or deductibles, or because an insurance plan doesn’t include contraceptive services. Scientists have abundant evidence that birth control has significant health benefits for women and their families, it is documented to significantly reduce health costs, and is the most commonly taken drug in America by young and middle-aged women.”

In his letter, Schnurr urged Catholics to pray and fast “that wisdom and justice may prevail. He also asked them to consider contacting their representatives in Congress.

Schnurr said the rule has “cast aside the First Amendment ... denying to Catholics our nation’s first and most fundamental freedom, that of religious liberty.” He said “unless the rule is overturned, we Catholics will be compelled to violate our consciences, or to drop health coverage for our employees (and suffer the penalties for doing so).”

Archdiocese spokesman Dan Andriacco said, “we don’t think it’ll come to that, because we think this unconstitutional and unjust mandate will be overturned” by legislation or court action.

In a prepared statement, Jerry Lawson, interim chief executive for Planned Parenthood’s southwest Ohio region, said the government ruling “is based on sound medical science and health policy. It means that millions of hard-working women will have access to affordable birth control, including those employed by religiously-affiliated organizations that serve the broader public.

“We have great respect for religious freedom and believe that neither government nor employers should intrude on anyone’s religion, faith, or personal decisions about health care. This benefit does not require that anyone dispense or use birth control. It simply ensures that women will have adequate health insurance coverage that includes affordable birth control.”

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2264 or tbeyerlein@DaytonDailyNews.com.

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