In Congress

Pending legislation to overturn the HHS mandate
Respect for Rights of Conscience Act of 2011
Sponsored by Representative Jeff Fortenberry, [NE-1] and 223 co-sponsors

USCCB material

Homilies/Speeches

• Homily of Archbishop Chaput at closing mass of Fortnight of Freedom (meditation on our duty as citizens and as disciples of Jesus Christ)

Fact Sheets

• Learn about some of the numerous federal laws and regulations (pdf) that currently protect rights of conscientiousobjection. - February 23, 2012
   
• "Six Things Everyone Should Know About the HHS Mandate" (docx) - February 6, 2012
  Did you know that the HHS mandate does not exempt Catholic charities, schools, universities, or hospitals? Read our latest fact sheet clearing up some common misperceptions. 
   
• "White House Misrepresents Its Own Contraceptive Mandate" (pdf) - February 2, 2012
  The Obama administration, to justify its widely-criticized mandate for contraception and sterilization coverage in private health plans, has posted a set of false and misleading claims on the White House blog ("Health Reform, Preventive Services, and Religious Institutions," February 1). This new USCCB fact sheet quotes and responds to each claim in turn.
   
• For a quick summary what the HHS edict involves, see our 2-page FAQ called "The HHS Mandate for Contraception/Sterilization Coverage: An Attack on Rights of Conscience" (pdf) - January 20, 2012
   
• For more in-depth information on the HHS mandate and its inadequate conscience protection, read our Preventive Services Backgrounder (pdf) - January 20, 2012
   
• "Emergency Services" and the Protect Life Act - October 13, 2011
   

USCCB Testimony, Statements and Letters

• Memo To: Religious Freedom Leaders and Activists - July 30, 2012
   
• United for Religious Freedom: A Statement of the Administrative Committee of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops - March 14, 2012 
   
• Legal Analysis of the HHS Regulation & Bulletin on Sterilization/Contraception Mandate by the USCCB Office of the General Counsel - March 7, 2012
   
• Bishop Lori's written testimony in defense of conscience rights & religious liberty submitted to House Judiciary Committee - Feb 28, 2012. His oral testimony delivered before the committee (short form of above comments).
   
• "The Parable of the Kosher Deli" - Testimony of Most Reverend William E. Lori, Bishop of Bridgeport, on behalf of the USCCB before the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, U.S. House of Representatives - February 16, 2012
   
• Letter from Cardinal DiNardo to the Senate Regarding the "Respect for Rights of Conscience Act," H.R. 1179 /S. 1467 - February 15, 2012 
   
• Bishops Renew Call to Legislative Action on Religious Liberty
  On February 10 the Catholic bishops of the United States called for a renewed effort to change the HHS imposed mandate that violates religious liberty.
   
• Cardinal DiNardo's Letter to Congress Regarding the "Abortion Non-Discrimination Act," HR 361/S. 165 – December 7, 2011
   
• Cardinal DiNardo's Letter to Rep. Pitts, Chair of House Subcommittee on Health, Urging Support for Conscience Rights - November 1, 2011
   
• Cardinal DiNardo's Letter to Congress Concerning the "Protect Life Act", HR 358 - October 12, 2011
   
• Cardinal DiNardo's Letter to US Congress on "Preventive Services" - September 7, 2011
   
• Comments on Interim Final Rules Imposing Contraceptive Mandate - August 31, 2011
   
• Cardinal DiNardo's Letter to Congress Concerning Respect for Rights of Conscience Act HR-1179 - July 22, 2011
   
• Cardinal DiNardo's Letter to Senate Encouraging Support for the "Abortion Non-Discrimination Act," S. 165 – May 18, 2011

News Releases

• Bishops Promise to Continue 'Vigorous Efforts' Against HHS Violations of Religious Freedom in Health Care Reform Mandate - March 14, 2012
   
• Cardinal Dolan Voices Dismay at Handling by White House in Letter Updating Bishops on HHS Mandate Controversy - March 2, 2012
   
• Senate Vote to Set Aside Conscience Act Marks Chance to Build Bipartisan Support, Seek Judicial Remedies for Religious Freedom- March 1, 2012
   
• HHS Mandate Creates Absurd Results, Bishop Lori Tells House Judiciary Committee- February 28, 2012
  • Without change' suddenly means 'with change' 
  • 'Choice' means 'force' 
  • Liberalism becomes illiberal 
  • Sterilization, contraception, abortifacients treated as if essential; but 'essential health benefits' are not 
     
• Bishop Lori Tells Parable of the Kosher Deli and the Pork Mandate in Congressional Testimony - February 16, 2012
   
• Cardinal Urges Senate Support of "Respect for Rights of Conscience Act" - February 15, 2012
   
• Bishop Blaire Refutes White House Press Secretary's Claim that Bishops Never Supported Heath Care Reform - February 14, 2012
   
  • Bishops Renew Call to Legislative Action on Religious Liberty- February 10
    Regulatory changes limited and unclear 
  • Rescission of mandate only complete solution 
  • Continue urging passage of Respect for Rights of Conscience Act 
     
• Six Things Everyone Should Know about the HHS Mandate - February 6, 2012
   
• White House Misrepresents Its Own Contraceptive Mandate - February 3, 2012
   
• Bishops Decry HHS Rule, Urge Catholics to Stand Up for Religious Liberty and Conscience Rights in Homilies at Vigil for Life - January 23, 2012
   
• Cardinal-Designate Dolan Speaks Out Against HHS Rule, Calls For Action In New Web Video - January 20, 2012
   
• U.S. Bishops Vow to Fight HHS Edict - January 20, 2012
   
• U.S. Bishops Welcome Pope's Reaffirmation of Religious Liberty During Ad Limina Visit - January 19, 2012
   
• Bishops Hail Court Decision Upholding Religious Liberty - January 11, 2011
   
• Bishop Lori to Brief Bishops on Religious Liberty Issues; Names Members, Consultants of Ad Hoc Committee - November 10, 2011
   
• Cardinal Calls For Greater Conscience Protection In Health Care Reform On Eve Of Subcommittee Hearing - November 1, 2011
   
•  Bishops' Pro-Life Official Hails House Passage of 'Protect Life Act' - October 14, 2011
   
• Catholic Organizations to Congress, Administration: Protect Conscience Rights - October 12, 2011
   
• Cardinal Reaffirms Support for Respect for Rights of Conscience Act, Cites HHS Mandate as Cause for Urgency - September 7, 2011
   
• USCCB Urges Rescission of HHS Contraceptive Mandate,Criticizes 'Inexplicably Narrow' Definition of Religious Freedom - August 31, 2011
   
• USCCB: HHS Mandate for Contraceptive and Abortifacient Drugs Violates Conscience Rights - August 1, 2011
   
• Bishops' Pro-Life Chair Strongly Opposes Recommended Mandate for Birth Control, Sterilization in Private Health Plans - July 19, 2011
   
• Pro-Life Spokesperson Urges Institute of Medicine Committee to Focus on Life-Saving Preventive Health Services for Women, Exclude Contraception, Sterilization - November 16, 2010