H
HagiaSophia
Guest
February 1, 2005
A letter from Colorado’s three highest-ranking Catholics angered a House Democrat on Monday who said she resented “being told how to be a good Catholic.”
Rep. Fran Coleman, a Denver Democrat who said she was raped a few years ago, publicly admonished the Colorado Catholic Conference for its opposition to a bill that would require hospitals to give emergency contraception information to sexual assault victims.
The conference represents Denver Archbishop Charles Chaput, Pueblo Bishop Arthur Tafoya and Colorado Springs Bishop Michael Sheridan.
“I absolutely resent the Catholic Church preaching to me because I represent people of all faiths,” a red-faced Coleman said during debate on the House floor. “I question their ability to continue to be in a tax-exempt status. We don’t need to be preached or read to.”
Despite opposition by anti-abortion Republicans, House Bill 1042 won final passage 46-19 and now moves to the Senate, where it is expected to pass. Gov. Bill Owens, who is Catholic, would not comment Monday on his position on the bill.
Coleman was angered by a letter sent to all House lawmakers and signed by Timothy Dore, executive director of the Colorado Catholic Conference, which represents the three dioceses in the state.
The letter was read aloud on the House floor by Rep. Keith King, R-Colorado Springs, who argued that the bill would force Catholic hospitals to go against their religious beliefs. Dore’s letter said the state has always recognized the rights of hospitals to practice medicine based on their beliefs on “the value of human life at all stages from the moment of conception.”
The bill wouldn’t require hospitals to dispense the so-called morning after pill, but rather adopt protocols to inform sexual assault survivors of the availability of emergency contraception. The hospital may dispense the pills or give a referral on where the woman can get the contraceptives.
The bill also has a “conscience clause” that exempts any health-care worker who objects to giving the information on religious or moral grounds.
rockymountainnews.com/drmn/legislature/article/0,1299,DRMN_37_3513132,00.html
A letter from Colorado’s three highest-ranking Catholics angered a House Democrat on Monday who said she resented “being told how to be a good Catholic.”
Rep. Fran Coleman, a Denver Democrat who said she was raped a few years ago, publicly admonished the Colorado Catholic Conference for its opposition to a bill that would require hospitals to give emergency contraception information to sexual assault victims.
The conference represents Denver Archbishop Charles Chaput, Pueblo Bishop Arthur Tafoya and Colorado Springs Bishop Michael Sheridan.
“I absolutely resent the Catholic Church preaching to me because I represent people of all faiths,” a red-faced Coleman said during debate on the House floor. “I question their ability to continue to be in a tax-exempt status. We don’t need to be preached or read to.”
Despite opposition by anti-abortion Republicans, House Bill 1042 won final passage 46-19 and now moves to the Senate, where it is expected to pass. Gov. Bill Owens, who is Catholic, would not comment Monday on his position on the bill.
Coleman was angered by a letter sent to all House lawmakers and signed by Timothy Dore, executive director of the Colorado Catholic Conference, which represents the three dioceses in the state.
The letter was read aloud on the House floor by Rep. Keith King, R-Colorado Springs, who argued that the bill would force Catholic hospitals to go against their religious beliefs. Dore’s letter said the state has always recognized the rights of hospitals to practice medicine based on their beliefs on “the value of human life at all stages from the moment of conception.”
The bill wouldn’t require hospitals to dispense the so-called morning after pill, but rather adopt protocols to inform sexual assault survivors of the availability of emergency contraception. The hospital may dispense the pills or give a referral on where the woman can get the contraceptives.
The bill also has a “conscience clause” that exempts any health-care worker who objects to giving the information on religious or moral grounds.
rockymountainnews.com/drmn/legislature/article/0,1299,DRMN_37_3513132,00.html
