Church attorney says religious freedom at issue in contraception case

Published: 2003-12-05

SAN JOSE, Calif. (CNS) -- An attorney representing Catholic Charities told the California Supreme Court Dec. 2 that in ruling on a contraception benefits case the court will be deciding whether religious freedom is still a constitutional right or merely a "platitude." The attorney, James Sweeney, told the court that the Catholic Church's rights have been violated by a law requiring Catholic Charities and Catholic hospitals and universities to provide contraception coverage if their employee health plans include a prescription drug benefit. The law forces Catholic organizations to act "in direct contradiction" of the church's teaching that contraception is "morally unacceptable," Sweeney said during oral arguments before the state Supreme Court in San Jose.

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