Seattle archbishop decries Washington abortion bill

Last updated on: April 3, 2013 at 6:02 am by CNA Daily News

Seattle archbishop decries Washington abortion bill 2013-04-03T06:02:00+00:00 CNA Daily News

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Seattle, Wash., Apr 3, 2013 / 12:02 am (CNA).- The Archbishop of Seattle warned state legislators that a proposed bill requiring abortion coverage in health care plans will result in a fight to protect the Catholic Church from being forced to pay for the procedure.

“The Catholic Church in Washington State and its affiliated organizations do not now, nor will we in the future, offer coverage for abortion in our health care plans,” Archbishop Peter Sartain told the Washington Senate Committee on Health Care April 1.

He warned that the legislation would result in court appeals that would be “protracted and costly to all parties.”

“It will not come as a surprise that we oppose the very intent of this legislation,” the archbishop said. “Deeply rooted in our Catholic faith is the belief that life is sacred from the moment of conception until natural death. We cannot equivocate about that belief.”

The legislation would mandate insurance coverage for elective abortion in all private health insurance plans which provide coverage of maternity care. It passed in the Democrat-controlled State House of Representatives in February by a 53-43 vote.

One backer of the bill claims to have 25 of 49 senators willing to vote for the bill if it reaches the Senate floor, the New York Times reports. The Senate is controlled by a coalition of two Democrats and the Republican caucus.

Archbishop Sartain warned that the bill E.H.B 1044 “discriminates unjustly against churches, religious organizations and people who for religious reasons oppose abortion.”

The bill has some conscience protections, but the archbishop said they “in reality offer no protection at all.”

One provision guarantees conscientious objection, while another provision says the conscience protection will not result in a health plan enrollee’s denial of coverage or timely access to any services as a result of the conscience clause.

“The Catholic Church and any other organization and individual employers are granted the right to exercise their consciences and not provide abortion coverage, but at the same time their employees cannot be denied coverage and access to abortion services,” the archbishop said. “As a result, the
right to exercise conscience and the requirements of this law are irreconcilable.”

He was skeptical of the bill’s requirement that the insurance commissioner create a mechanism for these situations. He said a similar requirement for previous laws has not been acted upon.

The Washington Catholic Conference has warned that the bill would endanger federal funding to Washington state, since federal law bars funds to agency or programs that require payment or provision of abortion.

The conference is asking opponents of the bill to contact their state senators and ask them to vote against it.

Previous Post

April 2, 2013

Americans encouraged to join mounting opposition to mandate

Next Post

April 3, 2013 Boston College draws support on condom distribution ban

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Americas Asia - Pacific Europe Middle East - Africa Uncategorized US Vatican

Select a Month November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

The righteous person will live by what quality or characteristic?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Obedience Works Holiness Faith