Category: News

Jewish groups warn US federal government plan harms freedom of religion

Rabbi Abba Cohen, vice president for federal government affairs and Washington director of Agudath Israel, has criticized the Obama administration’s decision to force employers to pay for contraceptive, and embryocidal drugs and devices even if they object to doing so for reasons of conscience.  Nathan Diament, executive director of public policy for the Orthodox Union, expressed concern about the notion that religious belief that does not remain “insular” is not really religious belief. [JTA News; OJC News release]

 

Council of Europe asserts that euthanasia “must always be prohibited”

In a document addressing the issue of advance directives, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe included the statement, “Euthanasia, in the sense of the intentional killing by act or omission of a dependent human being for his or her alleged benefit, must always be prohibited.”  While the document is not legally binding on member states of the European Union, it has persuasive weight.  It thus seems less likely that health care workers who object to euthanasia will be pressured to participate in the procedure.  However, the document makes no reference to assisted suicide. [Resolution 1859 (2012)]

US Catholic bishops urge support for freedom of conscience and religion in US

Daniel Cardinal DiNardo, speaking to a pro-life rally on behalf of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops Committee on Pro-Life Activities, challenged the decision of the Obama administration to force employers to pay for contraceptives and embryocidal drugs and services.  At stake, he said, “is the survival of a cornerstone constitutionally protected freedom that ensures respect for conscience and religious liberty.” Cardinal-designate Timothy Dolan, Archbishop of New York and president of the Conference, joined him in denouncing the government’s plans[USCCB News release].  Writing in the Wall Street Journal, Archbishop Dolan asked, “How about some respect for Catholics and others who object to treating pregnancy as a disease?”  In a newspaper column, Archbishop Thomas Wenski of Miami, “To force all of us to buy coverage for sterilization and contraceptives, including drugs that induce abortion, is a radical incursion into freedom of conscience.”

 

Tanzanian bill proposes to enforce ‘access to reproductive health services’

A Bill to Enact the Safe Motherhood Law (2012) will be proposed in Tanzania in February for the purpose of enforcing ‘rights to access reproductive health care,’ a term frequently associated with suppression of freedom of conscience among health care workers.  It is reported to include sections dealing with contraceptives and family planning, maternal and new-born health, sexual and reproductive health of adolescents, abortion, and “enforcement mechanisms.” [All Africa]