Letters to the Editor

Denying basic health-care service

Archbishop Charles J. Chaput lists the impressive array of social services that the Archdiocese of Philadelphia provides in our community, including nutritional services and housing for the poor and elderly ("HHS rule 'insulting,'" Sunday). All would agree that these are vital in these tough economic times. But he seems to imply that this largesse is justification for denying a significant segment of working women a basic component of their health-care services. When more than 90 percent of Catholic women use or have used birth control in good conscience, it is hard to describe the archbishop's view in any other way. He says that many Catholics are angry and confused. Most of us can probably agree with him, especially women.

Tom Gavin, Philadelphia

Arbitrating morals

It is a specious argument that the Roman Catholic Church should have an exemption to the requirements that employers must pay for their employees' birth-control insurance. Millions of Americans have been morally opposed to the wars in the Middle East, but they have not been allowed to not pay taxes that partially fund those wars. Why are our convictions considered less moral than those of the Roman Catholic Church? Who is the arbiter of morals? In a nation that is supposed to be a pluralistic society, why should one religious organization be able to receive special dispensation?

Grace Wohlsen, Philadelphia

Catholics will stick with Obama

As far as the controversy between the Catholic Church and President Obama, the president will win. Most Catholics today are of the "cafeteria" variety. They supported him in 2008 and will not abandon him now.

Bill Hinski, Harleysville

'Compromise' is phony

President Obama's "compromise" on the latest health-care mandate is as phony as his administration. Catholics are ordered to violate their faith and consciences, but no longer have to pay for it. The cost will be spread among the insurer's other customers and the service shall be provided "free."

But Obamacare doesn't end there. Read through the law and you will find that many decisions and details about implementation are to be mandated by Kathleen Sebelius, the secretary of Health and Human Services. This is what then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D., Calif.) meant when she said, "We have to pass the bill so that you can find out what is in it."

Heaven help us if this dictatorial, anti-faith, anti-Constitution crowd gets another four years.