Washington, 13 mar ( EFE).-the Catholic bishops in the State of Pennsylvania (EE.)(UU.) They called for a day of fasting and prayer on 30 March to protest against a law, driven by the President Barack Obama that oblige employers to offer contraception to their workers.
In a letter disclosed today, the Bishops considered that this rule constitutes a “serious and unprecedented violation” against religious freedom.
“Cannot stand idly”, bishops, calling all Catholics to dedicate a day of “fasting and prayer” next “preservation of religious freedom” March 30.
The original rule, announced by the Government in January and it sparked criticism of the Catholic Church and the Republicans, it was intended to compel the institutions of confession to offer contraception to their employees.
After the generated controversy, Obama announced that Catholic institutions can claim religious objections to not provide contraceptives.
In this case, the obligation to offer contraceptives will rely on insurance companies.
The parishes shall be exempt and the other Catholic schools and hospitals entities will have a transitional period until August 2013 to implement the measure, included in healthcare reform enacted in 2010.
Catholics represent a quarter (77 million) of the total population of United States.
In the image, the President of the United States.UU., Barack Obama. EFE/file
