Conn. bishops issue ‘action alert’ re bill that threatens religious freedom

Apr 30, 2007 / 09:28 am

The Connecticut Catholic Conference has warned that a new bill passed in the Senate threatens religious freedom in the state.

The Act Concerning Compassionate Care For Victims of Sexual Assault (Bill 1343) passed in the Senate April 25. The bill would require all hospitals, including Catholic hospitals, to provide emergency contraception to rape victims, regardless of whether the woman has conceived.

The bishops argue that this bill violates the separation of church and state and that the state should not determine the guidelines for Catholic institutions.

They are urging Catholics to contact their lawmakers in the House of Representatives and urge them to vote down the legislation.

“Senate Bill 1343 should contain language that respects the religious beliefs of Catholic hospitals and not force them to cooperate, either directly or through a third-party contract, in an abortion,” the bishops’ conference said.