Diocese preaches against healthcare law

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) - The Buffalo Catholic Diocese is taking a very strong stance and plans to defy "Obamacare."

Many western New York Catholics are taking a stand against the President's mandatory health care reform law. The Diocese says it violates church beliefs. But the White House is not backing down.

When western New York Catholics attend mass this weekend, many of their priests will tell them to actively oppose a new federal mandate that requires all employers, even Catholic institutions, to cover contraception in their insurance plans.

Rev. Joseph Gatto of St. Gregory the Great said, "I am going to tell them very clearly, as the letter from the Bishops says: "We cannot and we will not obey this mandate." "

While implementation of the new regulation is a year away, many Catholics are passionate in their resolve to fight it.

Dr. Marian Gray said, "I am outraged. I think how dare people tell us what to do in our church and in our conscience."

D'Youville College Adjunct Professor Dr. Marvin LaHood said, "We're going to have to provide condoms for our employees there according to the law that has been passed, and that's just against our conscience."

The Obama administration believes the new mandate does not infringe on religious freedom under the Constitution. No health care provider would be forced to prescribe contraception. But it would ease the economic burden for women who want it.

White House Press Secretary Jay Carney said, "We want to make sure that women have access to good health care, no matter where they work, and that all women who want access to contraceptives are able to get them without paying a copay every time they go to the pharmacy."

Any religious institution, like a Catholic School, that provides services to people outside of that religion, would not be exempt from the new mandate. That means most Catholic schools, hospitals, and universities would have to pay the insurance.

Msgr. Robery Zapfel of St. Leo the Great said, "It might mean that some institutions might just say we'll we're not going to abide by this, we'll close, but certainly that would be the end result of a very long process."

Bishop Edward Kmiec believes the issue will eventially be decided by the U.S. Supreme Court.