Joliet bishop assails Obama administration over birth control

The Roman Catholic bishop of Joliet is criticizing the Obama administration over its requirement that religious-based health care, educational and charity institutions employing and serving non-Catholics must pay for “all FDA-approved forms of contraception” for their employees.

While acknowledging many Catholics dissent from the Church’s teaching on artificial contraception, elective sterilization and abortion, Bishop Daniel Conlon said the rules going into effect next year breaches the wall of separation between church and state.

Conlon makes the assertion in a letter to be read before all Masses on Saturday and Sunday.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services requirement was issued on a recommendation by an arm of the arm of the National Academy of Sciences. The academy considers access to birth control improves maternal and infant mortality rates.