Catholic Exchange

Supreme Court Wrong on Contraception Ruling

Written by

Judie Brown

in

In response to the Supreme Court's refusal to hear a case defending a religious institution's right to exclude contraception from its health care coverage, Judie Brown, president of American Life League, issued the following statement:

The exercise of legislating via judicial fiat has reached new levels as the Supreme Court declined to hear arguments in defense of religious organizations which do not want to provide contraceptives as part of the drug coverage they offer to their employees.

Particularly in the case of Catholic organizations, this is appalling. The Catholic Church teaches that contraception is evil and the practice of it is a sin. Therefore, it seems clear enough that in this particular case the court has chosen to rely on the state's tactics of intimidation rather than recognize the free exercise of religious freedom in this country.

It is an abomination that any Catholic entity should be put in the position of ignoring its own teachings in deference to state mandate. It is a matter of historical fact that contraceptive practice marks the first time in medical history where perfectly healthy women are given medication to "protect" them from the natural experience of procreation. Since when is contraception part of health care?

I wholeheartedly agree with attorney Kevin Baine, who stated, "A church ought to be able to run its affairs and organize relationships with its employees in a way that's consistent with moral values and teachings." Apparently the court finds it unacceptable to concur and prefers to side with the proponents of such laws including Planned Parenthood.

The court's decision to decline hearing the case involving a New York state law does not bode well for any religious group in America, but most particularly Catholic organizations.

Comments

  1. Guest Avatar
    Guest

    As a resident of New York state, I was particularly outraged by this ruling, as was our bishop (despite the fact that our diocese is rather liberal, and our bishop has been accused of indifference toward Church teaching on sexual morality).

  2. Guest Avatar
    Guest

    We have more Catholics on the bench than we ever did and still we can't get even a hearing. The church is too weak to fight it. It's financially and spiritually strapped because of the scandal. Lay organizations, like the American Life League are our best hope to do battle. I disagee with the last sentence of the article. Islam, Judaism and the more fringe christian sects will feel no sting from this decision. This is a war against the Cross.

    Claire, CT bishops were the first ones to fold on this. We have NY beat.

  3. Guest Avatar
    Guest

    Perhaps someone should hire the ACLU because the State is interfering with the Church, thus crossing that imaginary and often misunderstood line between the two.

    Somehow I don't think they would take the case, but wouldn't that be fun?

  4. Guest Avatar
    Guest

    Suppose that the Catholic and other religious organizations of NY simply said "Nuts," and refused to abide by the Court's position and NY law? Would the National Guard (oh, sorry, they're in Iraq and Mars), federal troops be called in to force the instutitions to provide the "death info" to its members? Does the Catholic community provide contraceptive articles and info in their insurance packets? If so, WHY?

  5. Guest Avatar
    Guest

    Just a quick thought, since this is the health care plan for employees, will someone now be suing so their "domestic partner" can have health benefits as well?

  6. Guest Avatar
    Guest

    (satire alert)

    Relax everyone. The Supreme Court is simply doing its duty by enforcing the separation of Church and Church. After all, the Church can not be allowed to dictate the beliefs of the Church. That is clearly the job of the State. Why, if the Church was allowed to determine what the Church believes, then nothing could stop the Church from determining, for example, who could and could not receive the Sacrament of Holy Communion. (And we can't have that, laws, no!)

    It is perfectly obvious that the State has to intervene in such circumstances.

  7. Guest Avatar
    Guest

    Cue music: Da na na na na na DREAM POLICE.

    Thank you PTR, satire is my favorite form of wit and argument.

  8. Guest Avatar
    Guest

    Far more likely, as a stopgap, Catholic organizations will just stop offering health care to their employees.  Regardless, I will pray that one day, our government will stop making laws prohibiting the free exercise of our religion.

    It makes me sick, that the ACLU considers the Free Exercise clause to be a dead letter in American jurisprudence. 

  9. Guest Avatar
    Guest

    You only preserve the truth you defend, sports fans.

    This decision, or refusal to hear the case, will certainly be used to argue against a religious institution's right to exclude same-sex partner benefits from its health care coverage. Challenges to require coverage for euthanasia (oops, I mean "death with dignity") In Vitro Fertilization, and abortion will likely follow.

    Archbishop Wuerl, call your office.

  10. Guest Avatar
    Guest

    I would sure love to hear from one of the justices as to why they declined.  I wonder what the rules are for how they decide whether to hear a case or not?

  11. Guest Avatar
    Guest

    I wonder, does the Knights of Columbus, for example, offer a health insurance plan that's just like a normal one, except that it doesn't pay for imoral procedures — abortion, contraception, sterilization, etc.?  It's possible for me to opt out of my employer plan if I prove I have health insurance elsewhere (and get some share of the premiums my employer would have paid).

    I'd be on it in a minute if I could find it!  And then, catholic employers could stop offering health insurance, in a similar way, and send their employees to various insurance plans.  If the employee chooses to buy a standard secular plan, it's not the employer's choice. 

  12. Guest Avatar
    Guest

    That's a good idea.

  13. Guest Avatar
    Guest

    Ignore the ruling. Do what is moral. Prepare for persecution.

    "Blessed are you when men revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on My account. Rejoice and be glad.."          (Matt 5:11,12a).

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