Wisc. Catholic Diocese Will Fire Employees Using State-Mandated Birth Control Services

MADISON, Wisconsin, August 12, 2010 (LifeSiteNews.com) – The Catholic Diocese of Madison says they will abide by Wisconsin law requiring them to offer insurance coverage for artificial birth control – but they are making absolutely clear that they will fire any employee who willfully uses it in defiance of Catholic teaching against contraception.

According to the Wisconsin State Journal, the diocese, which is headed by Bishop Robert Morlino, made the decision after discovering that the financial costs to become self-insured were too high.

A new state provision that went into effect January 1 requires health insurance companies to include contraceptive services as a “mandated benefit.” Only self-insured groups are exempted, such as the La Crosse and Superior dioceses.

The Journal reports that the diocese made its decision final on August 1, when their previous health insurance contract expired. According to diocesan spokesman Brent King, employees will be expected not to use birth control coverage, since they sign a “morals clause” in their contracts agreeing to abide by Church teaching.

more . . . http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2010/aug/10081210.html