Catholic leaders criticize challenge to conscience clause on abortion

Published: 2005-02-04

OAKLAND, Calif. (CNS) -- California's Catholic bishops and a spokesman for Catholic health care organizations in the state have expressed dismay at efforts to overturn a federal "conscience clause" protecting those who refuse to perform abortions. In a joint statement, Bishop Stephen E. Blaire of Stockton, who is president of the California Catholic Conference, and William J. Cox, president of the Alliance of Catholic Health Care, objected to a suit filed Jan. 25 by California Attorney General Bill Lockyer to challenge the clause as unconstitutional. The provision, the Hyde-Weldon Amendment, was part of the 2005 Health and Human Services appropriation bill signed by President George W. Bush Dec. 8, 2004. It states that agencies or local governments that discriminate against doctors, hospitals or programs for refusing to provide, pay for or refer for abortions may not receive funding under the act. Lockyer said the amendment would allow the U.S. government to block $49 billion in funds allocated to California if the state barred funding to a hospital or health care provider who refused to perform an emergency abortion.

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