Letter from Cardinal Dolan and Archbishop Lori to Congress on Conscience Protection Act (2016)

Letter from Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan, Chairman, Committee on Pro-Life Activities and Archbishop William E. Lori, Chairman, Ad Hoc Committee for Religious Liberty to Congress on Conscience Protection Act, March 31, 2016

The bishops urge Congress to support the Conscience Protection Act of 2016 (H.R. 4828). Health care providers should not be forced by the government to participate in or facilitate abortions. It violates their moral and religious beliefs.

Existing federal protections for conscientious objection are ineffective, mainly because enforcement relies on slow or inactive government processes (e.g., complaints to HHS that go unresolved). 

The proposed law would strengthen protections by:

• Creating a private right of action, allowing individuals to go directly to court if they face discrimination
• Clarifying and reinforcing existing protections in federal law

Conscience-Protection-Act-Dolan-Lori-Ltr-to-Congress-03-31-16.pdf