Archbishop Lori Welcomes Introduction Of "Health Care Conscience Rights Act"

WASHINGTON, March 5, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- On March 4, 2013, Rep. Diane Black (R-TN) and 50 other House members introduced H.R. 940, the Health Care Conscience Rights Act of 2013. Archbishop William E Lori, Archbishop of Baltimore and Chairman of the USCCB's Ad Hoc Committee for Religious Liberty, welcomed its introduction with the following statement:

"I am grateful to Congresswoman Black and other sponsors for their leadership today. I welcome the Health Care Conscience Rights Act and call for its swift passage into law. While federal laws are on the books protecting conscience rights in health care, this Act would make such protection truly effective. This overdue measure is especially needed in light of new challenges to conscience rights arising from the federal health care reform act."

In a February 15 letter, Archbishop Lori urged Congress to enact effective conscience and religious freedom protection provisions like those of H.R. 940 as part of "must-pass" legislation for continued funding of federal programs.

A Capitol Hill press conference featuring four plaintiffs advocating for their conscience rights and religious freedom will take place at 10:00 am (EST) Tuesday morning, March 5, 2013 in Rayburn House Office Building, Room B-318.

The text of Archbishop Lori's 2/15/13 letter is available at www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/religious-liberty/conscience-protection/upload/Letter-from-Archbishop-Lori-to-Congress.pdf

SOURCE U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops Secretariat for Pro-Life Activities