More bullying
The secular orthodox are pushing their weight into territory traditionally respected as falling under Church authority.
Even if they believe contraception is “sinful,” religious social service organizations must provide female employees with birth control coverage in their health insurance, the state’s highest court unanimously ruled yesterday.
The decision by the Court of Appeals was a setback for Edward Cardinal Egan and other Catholic leaders, who contend the required coverage imposes unconstitutional burdens on Catholic groups opposed to artificial birth control.
A spokesman for the state Catholic Conference said the bishops may appeal the ruling to the U.S. Supreme Court.
Now that would be good to see. Let’s get these cases studied, argued and ruled on by jurists who actually apply the Constitution.
We believe that forcing Catholic institutions to provide contraceptive coverage and to pay for it is a violation of our religious liberty,” said Dennis Poust of the Catholic Conference.
The court noted that Catholic Charities and the other religious organizations view birth control as “sinful,” but said the state has a “substantial interest in fostering equality between the sexes and in providing women with better health care.”
Better health care? That’s an easy one to challenge right there. They should start by reading the packet inserts with contraceptive drugs. And, why are there quotations around the word “sinful”?
NARAL Pro Choice New York and Family Planning Advocates of New York State praised the ruling.
No doubt. But look at their statement:
“No employer should be able to force their beliefs upon their employees…
Actually, that’s just what they’re doing themselves. They’re forcing their beliefs on social service organizations.
But the bishops have a good reason to appeal.
The Women’s Health Wellness Act does exempt churches and institutions with a religious mission from the insurance coverage requirements.
So, the “Family Planning Advocates” will have to go against the Women’s Health Wellness Act, and that will be an interesting argument to follow.
