Local News

Washington D.C.- An amendment providing a religious exemption to the Obama administration's contraception mandate was prevented from coming to a vote in the U.S. Senate on Feb. 15.

"This is supposed to be a body where we have open discussion, where any member can offer any amendment to any bill at any time," said Senator Dan Coats (R-Ind.).

He criticized Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) for shutting off the opportunity to introduce new amendments to a bill that was under discussion in the Senate.

"I think the American people want more than that," he said.

Dominican profession

The Catholic bishops have long supported access to life-affirming health care for all, and the conscience rights of everyone involved in the complex process of providing that health care. That is why we object to the "preventive services" regulation issued by the Obama administration last August.

Leaders from Christian and other religious groups around the country have been stepping up to speak out against the federal health care mandate, which will require all health insurance plans to include free contraceptives, sterilizations and abortion-producing drugs.

Whether or not they hold the same view on contraceptives as the Catholic Church, all seem to view the mandate as a violation of religious freedom.

It shouldn't have been an issue in the first place, according to religious liberty advocates.

A federal mandate that churches must provide insurance coverage for sterilization, contraceptives and abortion-inducing drugs should have had a wide conscientious objection clause for churches from the beginning, two First Amendment advocates said.

A medical team making an annual trip to Honduras is counting on help from other St. Louisans to help as many needy people as possible.

The volunteers make a big commitment, Dr. Mario Castro said. "People usually take vacation time to do this. The physicians pay our own way and a little extra to help team members who do education and help with patients." Support members include nurses and therapists.