I write to you regarding a matter of utmost importance to the Catholic Church in the United States.
On January 20th, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), made a final decision that would force Catholic institutions to provide health insurance that includes all FDA-approved contraceptive methods and sterilization procedures, including several drugs that cause an early abortion by interfering with the implantation of a newly-conceived human being. This mandate poses a very serious threat to the religious freedom of Catholics and Catholic institutions.
You will recall that the delegates at our 129th Supreme Convention in Denver last year unanimously passed a resolution pledging our support for freedom of conscience in health care. Now is the time to make that pledge of support a reality.
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops is urging Catholics and all citizens to contact their elected leaders to let them know they want religious liberty and rights of conscience restored and the administration’s contraceptive mandate rescinded.
Please encourage all Knights and their families in your jurisdiction to send an email to their elected representatives in Congress by visiting www.kofc.org/rights. Sample language has been provided urging elected leaders to co-sponsor the Respect for Rights of Conscience Act (H.R. 1179 / S.1467). This bi-partisan legislation will ensure that federal mandates do not penalize or discriminate against religious believers.
The Knights of Columbus will never waver in our opposition to any governmental action or policy that forces our citizens to violate their deeply-held moral and religious convictions.
Fraternally,
Carl A. Anderson
Supreme Knight