The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops has released a 12 page Pastoral Letter on Freedom of Conscience and Religion. While addressed to all people of good will, the bishops particularly addressed themselves to “those members of the faithful who find themselves in difficult situations where they may be pressured to act against their religious faith or their conscience.” The document emphasizes that freedom of conscience may be acknowledged by state authority, but state authority does not create it. Among the examples of violations of freedom of conscience, the document cites rules requiring referral for abortion by objecting physicians and the demand that objecting pharmacists dispense contraceptives or the ‘morning after pill.’ It recommends four strategies: affirmation of the role of religion in the public square, upholding a healthy relationship between Church and stated, forming conscience according to truth, and protecting the right to conscientious objection
Category: News
Arizona Governor signs protection of conscience law
Senate Bill 1365 (2012) has been signed by the Governor of Arizona. It was drafted to ensure that professionals cannot be disciplined for refusing to provide services to which they object for reasons of conscience.
New Guinea bishops object to compulsory condom distribution
Catholic Bishops in Papua New Guinea state that their schools will not comply with a government policy requiring the distribution of condoms to students. The Episcopal Conference is prepared to defend its decision in court should the government try to enforce the policy. [Zenit]
Swedish physicians expected to arrange abortions on demand
A Swedish health authority has ruled that physicians must facilitate abortions if patients request them even if they are doubtful about the mental stability of the patient. The ruling followed a complaint from a woman whose physician cancelled an abortion and recommended that she see a counsellor because of concern that she was not “mentally balanced.” The physician’s decision was prompted by conversation with the patient’s husband the day before the scheduled procedure [The Local].
Catholic business group files lawsuit against US federal government
A lawsuit has been filed against the U.S. federal government in Michigan by Legatus, a national organization of Catholic business leaders, and the Weingartz Supply Company, a Michigan retailer, the President of which is a member of Legatus. The suit seeks a permanent injunction against the HHS regulation that requires employers to provide health insurance coverage for birth control and sterilization on the grounds that the law violates freedom of conscience and religion. [News Release]