Catholic group flunks Obama on religious liberty

Washington D.C., Oct 5, 2012 / 19:04 pm

Religious liberty advocacy group the Catholic Association released a voter guide on Oct. 4 that gives a failing grade to President Obama on seven key religious freedom issues.

"The Obama Administration has put forth divisive policies and government regulations that ignore our First Amendment protections and erode the religious freedom of Catholics and people of faith," said Maureen Ferguson, the group's senior policy advisor.

Over one million copies of the guide will be distributed in both English and Spanish across the country.

The guide is meant to educate Catholics and other persons of faith on how their vote could affect religious liberty concerns over the next four years.

In contrast to the score given to President Obama, the guide gives Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney an "A+" with regards to the seven religious liberty policies.

"The President's unprecedented HHS mandate is the most far reaching encroachment on religious freedom in American history," Ferguson added.

"People of faith, religious charitable organizations and employers should not be forced to either violate their faith or face crippling fines that would damage their ability to serve the poor, the needy, the sick, the elderly, the orphaned and the overall common good."

Ashley McGuire, a senior fellow with the group, also weighed in, noting that on "critical issues" such human trafficking, international religious freedom and allowing churches to choose their own leaders, "the administration has used regulation, laws and litigation to undermine the religious rights of people of faith."