Nuns question Catholic opposition to Affordable Care Act

The National Coalition of American Nuns, in an open letter released on Jan. 27, questioned why Catholic institutions are challenging the federal Affordable Care Act.

In the letter, the group expressed dismay at opposition to the health care law from the Little Sisters of the Poor-Colorado, the University of Notre Dame and other Catholic organizations.

The nuns, in the statement, said, “Spurred on by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, these organizations are attempting to hold hostage all women by refusing insurance to them for contraceptives.”

The letter went on to state, NCAN strongly supports Reproductive Justice which includes a woman’s right to choose what is best for her body including contraceptives.

“In its endorsement of the Affordable Care Act, NCAN believes that women should not be singled out by any organization or group through its refusal to insure a woman’s reproductive needs. This violates the equality given to all men and women who embrace this country’s laws, which are passed to preserve this very equality.”

The group said, “We support women as moral agents able to make the right choices for their own bodies. We also know that women do not have full membership in churches and societies that keep women and our daughters poor and separated because of their gender. A society or church that disregards a person because of her gender does this to all of its members.”

NCAN’s stated goal is “to study, work and speak out on issues of justice in society and church.” The group was founded in 1969 and it has more than 2,000 members.

On the Web …

http://www.ncan.us