Catholic Bishops Oppose “Equality Act” Because It Would Force Americans to Fund Abortions

National   |   Micaiah Bilger   |   Feb 24, 2021   |   11:12AM   |   Washington, DC

Catholic bishops are urging Congress to reject the Equality Act because it would force Americans to pay for the killing of unborn babies in abortions and “discriminate against people of faith.”

The Catholic News Service reports five leaders of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops sent a letter to federal lawmakers on Tuesday outlining their opposition to the bill.

“Rather than affirm human dignity in ways that meaningfully exceed existing practical protections, the Equality Act would discriminate against people of faith,” the bishops said. “It would also inflict numerous legal and social harms on Americans of any faith or none.”

The bishops’ opposition and that of many other pro-life, conservative and religious leaders comes in reaction to President Joe Biden’s and Democrat leaders’ plans to push the pro-abortion bill through Congress. The U.S. House may vote on the bill as soon as this week, according to the report.

On the surface, the goal of the Equality Act (House Resolution 5) supposedly is to protect people from discrimination. It would amend the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to redefine sex discrimination to include gender identity and sexual orientation.

ACTION ALERT:: Contact U.S. House lawmakers and Contact U.S. Senators to urge strong opposition to the Equality Act.

But leading pro-life and conservative groups warned that the legislation would create a “right to demand an abortion.” They said medical workers could be forced to help abort unborn babies and taxpayers could be forced to fund their deaths.

The bishops said the legislation includes “an abortion mandate, a violation of precious rights to life and conscience.”

“Human dignity is central to what Catholics believe because every person is made in the image of God and should be treated accordingly, with respect and compassion,” they continued. “This commitment is reflected in the church’s charitable service to all people, without regard to race, religion or any other characteristic.”

The bishops said they “wholeheartedly” support protecting people from discrimination and harassment, but the Equality Act does not do that.

“… instead, the bill represents the imposition by Congress of novel and divisive viewpoints regarding ‘gender’ on individuals and organizations,” they said.

The bishops urged lawmakers to reject the bill because people of differing beliefs also deserve to be protected from discrimination.

The Post Millennial reports the Democrat-controlled U.S. House likely will pass the bill, as it did in 2019. However, its fate is less certain in the U.S. Senate.

According to the National Right to Life Committee, the deceptively-named Equality Act “contains language amending the Civil Rights Act of 1964 that could be construed to create a right to demand abortion from health care providers, and likely would place at risk the authority of state and federal government to prohibit taxpayer-funded abortions. If enacted, this legislation could be used as a powerful tool to challenge any and all state abortion restrictions.”

Biden included the Equality Act as a top legislative priority for his first 100 days in office on his campaign website.

National Right to Life, the Family Research Council, the Susan B. Anthony List, March for Life Action and other pro-life groups also are urging lawmakers to reject the bill.

ACTION ALERT:: Contact U.S. House lawmakers and Contact U.S. Senators to urge strong opposition to the Equality Act.