Local Archbishop calls new health care requirement "unjust"

Can the new health care reform law force you to do something that goes against your religious beliefs?

This weekend, thousands of Catholics across the metro heard why the church believes that is about to happen.
     
Erin Crume, a parishioner at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Lenexa said, "It's completely against my belief."

Local Catholic churches read letters from the church's leadership condemning the controversial contraceptive policy that makes nearly every health plan cover contraceptives, without co-pays or deductibles.
       
Catholic schools, churches and charities prayed to be exempt since the church opposes the use of most forms of birth control.
        
But the White House made it clear last week.
White House press secretary Jay Carney, said,  "The decision has been made."
 
In letters to parishioners, the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas stated this weekend "...the Administration has cast aside the First Amendment .. denying to Catholics our nation's first and most fundamental freedom, that of religious liberty."

Holy Trinity parishioner Dan Perlinger said, "It's not the right thing to do."

This father said this is more than a religious freedom issue and more about believing in the pro life stance the church always taught him.

He said that belief saved a life: his oldest son.

Perlinger said, with tears in his eyes, "I have a fantastic son. I have a handicapped son. He was born that way and I love him for what he is."

But supporters of the new requirement say it will save money for millions of Americans.

The House Domestic Policy Council wrote in a White House blog, "no individual health care provider will be forced to prescribe contraception" and  "no individual will be forced to buy or use contraception."
         
Still, the local Archbishop told local parishioners "We cannot - we will not - comply with this unjust law."

Crume said, with a smile, "I bet we win and I bet we have it changed."

Republicans like Missouri Senator Roy Blunt has thrown his support behind the Catholic Church.

Blunt is sponsoring legislation that would force the administration to drop the rule to protect "rights of conscience".