[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 26 (Wednesday, March 3, 2004)]
[House]
[Page H756]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   EXPRESSING OUTRAGE AT CALIFORNIA COURT RULING REQUIRING CATHOLIC 
   CHARITY TO COVER BIRTH CONTROL IN EMPLOYEE HEALTH INSURANCE PLANS

  (Mr. MURPHY asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. MURPHY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to express my outrage at a recent 
decision by the California Supreme Court. This decision requires a 
Catholic charity to cover birth control in its employees' health 
insurance plans despite the church's position on contraception. This 
decision infringes on the principles of any faith-based charity 
choosing to help all the needy and not just those of a similar faith. 
As a result of this decision, society as a whole suffers. Faith-
affiliated charities frequently provide help and hope to the least 
among us without religious discrimination, but this decision is a step 
backward. We are left to wonder what effect it will have on the social 
ministry of these organizations. Some may be forced to choose between 
adhering to their beliefs and serving those in need.
  This decision represents an intentional, purposeful intrusion into a 
religious organization's practice of its religious tenets and sense of 
mission and it could reach far beyond Catholic charities and affect 
other faith-based hospitals and charities throughout the country.

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