Catholics face tough choice
New York’s Archbishop Timothy Dolan told us, “Never before has the federal government forced individuals and organizations to buy a product that violates their consciences. This shouldn’t happen in a land where free exercise of religion ranks first in the Bill of Rights.”
Let’s get something straight. The vast majority of Catholics believe in using birth control, and not because they are too weak to follow church teaching. Most Catholic couples believe that children should be planned and prepared for, rather than the result of accidental timing. Few Catholics think they are sinning by using birth control. The term “Cafeteria Catholics” evolved from this.
The choice most Catholic couples unfortunately face is becoming Cafeteria Catholics on this matter or leaving the church. As for the hospitals in question, it is hard to envision how anyone’s decision on contraception has anything to do with job performance.
The bishops who fought President Obama’s decision should not be supported in their quest for power. They represent almost no one.
Joan Conneely
Rolling Meadows