Local Catholics React To President Obama’s Contraceptives Compromise
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The White House has finally reached a compromise with religious institutions over a change in policy that would have forced some to directly provide birth control to their employees. The policy has brought about a lot of controversy. Religious organizations like Catholic-affiliated hospitals and schools did not want to be forced to pay for something that morally violates their doctrine. President Obama said with the new policy, women would be able to go to their health care provider to get free contraceptives. Local Catholic leaders said even the revised policy will cost them money because they believe insurance companies will pass along the costs. “The state is tempting to tell religion what religion is to do, even when it violates the consciences and the constant doctrine of the church,” said Monsignor Thomas D. Kirk of St. Mary’s Catholic Church. Members of Jackson’s Catholic community said even the new policy violates separation of church and state.
