New Jersey bishop opposes contraception bill removing religious exemption

Metuchen, N.J., Dec 13, 2019 / 20:40 pm

A New Jersey bishop is calling on legislators to amend a bill that would force religious groups to fund contraceptive coverage for their employees, even if doing so violates their religious convictions.

"Legislation (S3804/A5508) is now being considered in the New Jersey legislature which eliminates the long-standing religious employers' exemption in the current law," said Bishop James Checchio of Metuchen.

"Eliminating the religious employers' exemption would essentially force religious organizations to pay for medications, including abortion causing drugs, sterilizations and other procedures which violate our fundamental belief that all life, from conception to natural death, is sacred," he said in a Dec. 10 statement.

The bill was introduced to the New Jersey Senate in May and the state's House of Representatives in June. If passed, it would require full coverage for certain contraceptives and abortion-inducing drugs in health care plans and remove exemptions for religious organizations.

"Contraception was named as one of the top 10 public health achievements of the 20th century by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention," said bill sponsor Sen. Teresa Ruiz, D-Essex, according to northjersey.com. "That was 20 years ago, whether or not insurance plans cover contraceptives shouldn't be a question today."

The bill must be addressed before the second week of January, when the current legislative session ends. New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy announced his support for the bill in May.

Bishop Checchio stressed the importance of religious liberty as one of the "important building blocks of American society."

He said the law would threaten the "basic human right" of religious freedom and would place religious organizations in an impossible position, negatively impacting their charitable work, including aid provided to immigrants and those in poverty.

"Passage of this measure would require our Catholic parishes, Catholic schools and agencies such as Catholic Charities to offer our employees comprehensive health benefits in violation of fundamental Catholic principles," the bishop said.

"If this measure should pass many of our Catholic institutions and services will be seriously impacted. Assistance that we provide to the poor, the frail elderly, the sick and the dying, and to immigrants and their families could be at great risk."

Edward Sita, a resident of St. Joseph's Senior Home in Woodbridge, which is operated by the Little Servant Sisters of the Immaculate Conception, also spoke out against the bill.

"One of the principal reasons I am here is because we have a religious organization who wants to care for us," he said of the senior home.

In a Dec. 12 statement, Sita said he is grateful in particular for the sisters' attentive care for his wife, who has Alzheimers, as well as the for the opportunity for regular Mass, adoration, and other religious activities offered at the home.

"The folks here do so much and are completely giving of all that is possible to give, and that's themselves. It's hard to describe all the good things that are happening here."

Sita said the proposed law would place the sisters in a "morally impossible situation." He said he could not imagine life without the sisters' help, if the home were forced to shut down.

"I couldn't even imagine it and I pray and I hope that doesn't happen," he said.

Bishop Checchio encouraged Catholics to take action against the bill, pointing to a website where people may appeal to their local representatives.

"I urge all of the faithful to contact their state senators today and urge them to amend the proposed legislation, S3804/A5508 to retain the established religious employers' exemption which is contained in current law," the bishop said.