Archbishop Speaks Out Ahead Of Ruling On Health Care Law
LOS ANGELES (CBS) — Catholic church leaders are speaking out against the Obama Administration's health care requirements that would require churches to provide free contraception services for employees in hospitals, charities and schools.
KNX 1070's Ed Mertz reports Archbishop Jose Gomez focused on religious freedom just days before the Supreme Court is expected to issue a ruling on the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA).
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"We're asking God to enlighten our leaders," said Gomez at a special Sunday mass at the Cathedral Of Our Lady Of The Angels in protest of recent decisions from the White House.
In addition to health care legislation that would force religious institutions to help fund contraceptive services, Gomez and other Catholic leaders are fighting an effort top penalize foster care and adoption agencies for not placing children with same-sex or unmarried couples.
California Assembly Bill 1856 would require any caregivers such as foster parents and group home facility administrators to receive mandatory "cultural competency and sensitivity" training to provide "adequate care to lesbian, gay,
bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) youth.
While not directly related to PPACA, Gomez warned that legislation like AB 1856 marks a potentially seismic shift in traditional American values.
"My brothers and sisters, we are at an important moment in our nation's history," Gomez told his congregation on Sunday. "We are concerned that our nation is losing its will to promote and defend our most basic freedoms: the freedom of religion and the freedom of conscience."
The Supreme Court could rule as early as Monday on PPACA.
