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Posted on 10/20/2006 6:40:09 AM PDT by presidio9
Catholic and other religious social service groups must provide contraceptive coverage to their employees even if they consider contraception a sin, according to yesterday's ruling by the state's highest court.
The 6-0 decision by the state Court of Appeals hinged on defining Catholic Charities and the other nine religious groups suing the state to be social service agencies, rather than only operating as churches.
The organizations "believe contraception to be sinful," the decision states. "We must weigh against [their] interests in adhering to the tenets of their faith the state's substantial interest in fostering equality between the sexes, and in providing women with better health care."
The New York Catholic Conference is considering an appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court.
"We think this has never really been about contraception, we think it was to target the church and open the door for coverage of abortion," said Dennis Poust, spokesman for the Catholic conference.
The court said the fact that the organizations hire employees outside their faith is a critical factor and they deserve the rights sought under the law.
"That ought to be offensive to anyone of faith," Poust said.
"I think it reflects a fundamental misunderstanding of Catholicism, which teaches that to be saved, Catholics must perform works of mercy," Poust said. "Faith alone is not enough . . . and the way the church performs its works of mercy is through its Catholic Charities, its schools and its hospitals -
(Excerpt) Read more at nypost.com ...
"Bill of Rights Amendment I Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances."
When did the Constitution matter?
You must have missed that amendment about the employers being responsible for providing health care (not just any health care, but health care as the government sees fit) to every employee.
"You must have missed that amendment about the employers being responsible for providing health care (not just any health care, but health care as the government sees fit) to every employee."
Yep. That's one of those "double-secret" ones written on patented penumbra paper.
Why can't Catholic Charities move out of liberal MA and NY to a State that would welcome them. Do not cast your peals before swine and all of that. Really vote with your feet and money.
Indeed, they could opt to credit employees with "flex-dollars" those employee may use to "purchase" their own healthcare in which the basic cost could be exclusive of any contraceptive program. If an employee opts for a contraceptive inclusive package, other areas of coverage would be deleted or the contraceptive inclusive package could be funded by employee personal contributions to their account.
Let's see......MUSLIM Taxi Drivers do NOT have to take people with seeing eye dogs or someone who has is carrying a bottle of wine, yet the CATHOLIC Church has to PAY for contraceptives which is against their teaching!!! STOP THIS MADNESS!!!!!!!!
I'd love to type "unbeievable"...
Why would your sister gripe. That is the best way to go. I wish we had that set up where I work. Most wonderful idea for health care ever.
Ridiculous.
Where is the right of "expression" any more in this country?
If you act on any of those beliefs, however, then you are subject to state control.
In other words, they stand the words of the Constitution on their head, and ignore the fact that "social service work", i.e. charity, is considered an essential part of the practice of the faith.
Catholic charities should move their bank accounts out of the state and ignore the ruling.
yes, but do you stand by that position concerning marriage?
Many, many Catholic commit other mortal sins, as well ... doesn't make them right. And it most emphatically does NOT mean the Church should subsidized their sins.
Heh. You mean the golden "bull" issued by His Holiness Justice Douglas supersedes the Constitution?
If the church is so FIRM about contraception, then all employees who use it should be fired.
You must not be familiar with the enumerations of the Constitution and Bill of Rights. /s
Yep.
I can never wrap my brain around how conticeptives and womens health care are one in the same
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