PPACA denies Catholics freedom of religion

As a Catholic woman, my attention has been drawn to the First Amendment in our Bill of Rights: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof."

As Catholics, we believe that life comes from God, that we are made in God's image and likeness, and that all life is deserving of protection from conception to natural death.

Our faith guides our beliefs about issues and technologies affecting our lives today. Since our founding by Christ, it has always been our reason for assisting people world-wide through our hospitals, universities, schools, and social service programs.

However, the Health and Human Services mandate would force us to act completely contrary to our religious beliefs by requiring us to pay for insurance that covers services under the umbrella of "reproductive health," such as abortion-inducing contraceptives and sterilizations.

Catholic Institutions will be required by law to accept this mandate or face heavy fines and penalties. Many will be forced to shut their doors and no longer serve people who, religious or not, are in need of assistance.

True, the individual mandate (trying to cover all Americans with urgently needed health insurance) was just upheld by the Supreme Court at the end of June through the taxing powers of Congress.

However, the right of all Americans to practice their religious beliefs freely, as we seek medical care, has yet to be determined.

Many people of other religions and backgrounds have joined the Catholic Church in standing up for freedom of conscience. Our Church is extremely grateful for their support and continues to work toward a resolution that doesn't compromise anybody's faith.

This is too important to our still-fragile democracy for any of us to sit it out.

Alice Foley

Spotsylvania