The staff of The Observer, a student newspaper at Boston College, is arguing that the Jesuit and Catholic university should oppose “contraceptive mandates” and “fight policies” conflicting with Catholic teachings.
In August, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services adopted guidelines that stipulate insurance coverage for sterilizations and contraceptives (including some that cause abortion). The conscience clause for these guidelines provided by the Obama Administration is so narrow that most Catholic universities and various institutions would not be exempt from the mandate.
From the Observer article:
BC is indeed required by Massachusetts law, and now federal HHS mandate, to offer contraceptive services in its employer-offered health care plans. But it is not required to stay silent and accept the government’s unjust policies. BC should make it very clear that contraceptive mandates are an attack on religious freedom and the university should do everything in its power to fight policies that are in direct conflict with Catholic moral teachings.
In a related Observer article giving more background information on the subject, Cardinal Newman Society (CNS) President Patrick J. Reilly was quoted:
“The HHS guidelines would force Catholic colleges to violate the law or violate the Catholic faith…Neither option is acceptable.”
Last week, CNS encouraged its members to take advantage of the comment period on the HHS guidelines which end September 30. For proposed language opposing the contraceptive mandate and urging for expanded conscience protections and a link to the HHS comment page, click here.
Adam Wilson
CNS Staff
Matthew Archbold
Charlotte Hays
One Comment
The Jesuit order was approved by the pope during the time of Martin luther to serve the pope and Catholic church as DEFENDERS OF THE FAITH as an intellectual and evangalizing group of ordained priests. One of its principles in its charter was OBEDIENCE to the pope. One today finds many Jesuit coleges/universities in mounting disagereement with Ex Corde Ecclesiastica and the pope. Why is the order not given the choice of abiding by the teachings of the church (including inviting speakers or teachers who don’t defecate on such teachings) or being forced to DISCONTINUE THEIR FALSE ADVERTISING as to their being a CATHOLIC college.