WFSB Channel 3Parishioners given letter asking for support to reverse health mandate

Parishioners given letter asking for support to reverse health mandate

Posted: Updated:
By WFSB Staff
HARTFORD, CT (WFSB) -

Hartford Archbishop Rev. Henry Mansell has written a letter to parishioners asking for their support in reversing parts of a federal heath mandate outlined by President Barack Obama.

The Obama administration's decision to require Catholic churches to pay for health insurance that contradicts religious principals, such as paying for health coverage for sterilization, contraception and medication that induces abortion is angering people from within the church.

Mansell said it's a violation of their First Amendment right to freedom of religion and is unconstitutional.

The letter was written Feb. 1 and was handed out to churchgoers urging them to contact their local representative in support for reversing the mandate.

If the mandate is implemented, Mansell said it would impact more than 77,000 employees of Catholic charities across the United States, numerous Catholic colleges, universities, hospitals, schools and a large number of employees that work for Catholic Relief Services.

Rep. Chris Murphy was on Face the State with Dennis House on Sunday and weighed in on the controversy. For more information on that, click here.

Copyright 2012 WFSB (Meredith Corporation). All rights reserved.

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