Catholics Blast Bogus Claims of Religious Liberty in Washington Post Ad and at Faith Rally

As the Supreme Court hears arguments from Hobby Lobby Stores, Inc. and Conestoga Wood Specialties Corp. about the contraceptive coverage benefit in the Affordable Care Act, a full-page advertisement in tomorrow’s Washington Post takes on the arguments of those who seek to impose their religious views on everybody else. Asking the all-important question: “What’s happening to the separation of church and state?” the ad exposes how the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops is manipulating the definition of religious freedom for its own ends.

“Conscience and religious liberty rights belong in the hands of individuals, not institutions,” said Sara Hutchinson, domestic program director at Catholics for Choice. “Although the Catholic bishops are one of the loudest voices opposing equity in contraceptive coverage, they clearly do not speak for all Catholics.”

Sara Hutchinson will also speak at a faith rally tomorrow morning with members of other faith groups to show their support for the rights of individual conscience, religious liberty and human dignity for all women, no matter where they work.

“The vast majority of Catholics support policies that allow women and men to follow their own consciences when it comes to personal, private decisions about whether and when to have children,” said Hutchinson. “In fact, fully 99 percent of sexually active Catholic women have used a birth control method banned by the Vatican. Limiting access for some isn’t just. During the faith rally and later outside the Supreme Court, we will represent true religious liberty and stand up to those who seek to undermine it.”

The Supreme Court must ultimately decide if the religious liberty of women workers will be respected, or if successful lobbying by ultraconservative religious groups will win the day and enable bosses to trample upon the consciences and lives of their employees.

Catholics for Choice also joined more than 40 members of the Coalition for Liberty & Justice in urging the Supreme Court to reject the challenges to contraceptive coverage.

To speak with Sara Hutchinson, or to learn more about the faith rally tomorrow, please e-mail Claire S. Gould atcgould(at)catholicsforchoice.org or call 202-986-6093.

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