Tepeyac Family Center

Now is the time to act and urge Congress to pass the Respect for Rights of Conscience Act of 2011.

On Tuesday, February 7, Congressmen Jeff Fortenberry spoke during the Divine Mercy Care/Tepeyac Family Center's fundraiser. One of our guests asked the Congressman,  “What do we do next?” Congressmen Fortenberry provided encouragement by saying, “Be an active citizen.” He went on to explain that this goes beyond sending an email and further emphasized making personal connection with Representatives and Senators by also donating time and money to help efforts that support religious freedom. Spread the word by also utilizing contacts and network. Congressman Fortenberry stated, “Government should be about protecting rights not taking them away,” and asked that contact be made with Representatives regarding the support of HR-1179: Respect for Rights of Conscience Act of 2011 : http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d112:h.r.1179 and Senators regarding the support of the Senate version which is S-1467: http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d112:s.1467.

On Friday, February 10, The United States Council of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) authored a letter opposing the HHS Mandate. The Mandate forces private health insurance plans to cover sterilization, contraceptives and abortifacients. Further, it would "impose a burden of unprecedented reach and severity on the consciences of those who consider such "services" immoral: insurers forced to write policies including this coverage; employers and schools forced to sponsor and subsidize the coverage; and individual employees and students forced to pay premiums for the coveragethreatens services" immoral: insurers forced to write policies including this coverage; employers and schools forced to sponsor and subsidize the coverage; and individual employees and students forced to pay premiums for the coverage". View the full letter here:  http://www.usccb.org/news/2012/12-026.cfm

More information on the HHS Mandate and ways to take action that preserve our religious freedoms and conscience rights are here:

• http://www.nchla.org/actiondisplay.asp?ID=292
• http://www.becketfund.org/hhs/
• http://www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/religious-liberty/conscience-protection/index.cfm
• http://nrlc.org/press_releases_new/Release021012.html
• http://www.frc.org/
• http://www.vacatholic.org/documents/HHSMandate-BishopsLetter-Jan2012.pdf
• http://www.ewtn.com/hhsmandate/
• http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/304319-1