The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops on Thursday rejected the Obama administration’s new proposed rules governing the contraception coverage mandate as insufficient to protect the religious liberty of faith organization and private businesses owners.
“We welcome and will take seriously the Administration’s invitation to submit our concerns through formal comments, and we will do so in the hope that an acceptable solution can be found that respects the consciences of all,” Cardinal Timothy Dolan of New York, president of the USCCB, said in a statement released Thursday. “At the same time, we will continue to stand united with brother bishops, religious institutions, and individual citizens who seek redress in the courts for as long as this is necessary.”
In response, Planned Parenthood criticized the USCCB and reaffirmed their support for the policy.
“It is becoming clear that some people just will not rest until they have found a way to deny women access to birth control coverage,” Cecile Richards, the group’s president, said in a statement. “The Obama administration has proposed a solution that gives women access to birth control without co-pays or hurdles, while respecting the positions of religious organizations.”
