Is the Affordable Care Act Violating Religious Freedom?

On Sunday, June 8th, St. Catherine of Siena Church, 265 Stratton Brook Rd., in West Simsbury is co-sponsoring a discussion entitled: “The Developing Conflict: The Church and the Affordable Care Act”, with the Church of St. Ann (Avon), at 1:00 p.m.

A distinguished panel made up of: Director of Education of the National Catholic Bioethics Center Father Tad Pacholczyk; Chairman of St. Francis Care Board of Directors Daniel P. O’Connell, and Attorney Jeff Mateer, who is General Counsel of The Liberty Institute in Plano, Texas will address the serious implications that the Affordable Care Act will have on every American’s God-given right to religious freedom.

As implemented, the Affordable Care Act requires that religious institutions such as: Catholic hospitals, schools and universities, ministries and shelters, pay for prescriptions and procedures such as: abortion-inducing drugs, contraception and sterilization that go against Catholic moral teaching. Religious employers who refuse to pay for the insurance based on their religious principles will suffer exorbitant fines. As a result, many may not be able to continue delivering social services to the poor and needy, and ultimately be forced to close.

The discussion comes two weeks before the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) will sponsor the third Fortnight for Freedom initiative as a way for Catholic dioceses and parishes across the U.S. to raise awareness for domestic and international religious freedom concerns. It begins June 21st through July 4th.

“The Developing Conflict: The Church and the Affordable Care Act” is open to the public and is free. There will be an extended question and answer period after presentations by the speakers. To reserve a seat, email: stcathy@comcast.net or call 860-658-1642.

The discussion (co-sponsored by the Defenders of Faith Ministry of St. Catherine of Siena Church and the Church of St. Ann) is the second forum in the series: The Catholic Church in the Public Square. The first discussion took place at the Church of St. Ann this past November.