USCCB Resources on Conscience Protection

The bishops have called the faithful to Get Informed, Advocate and Pray for Conscience Rights. Join in solidarity to protect the conscience rights of all.

Get Informed

• Videos
• Fact Sheets
• USCCB Testimony Letters & Statements
• Commentary
• News Releases

Fact Sheets

• Learn about some of the numerous federal laws and regulations that currently protect rights of conscientious objection. - February 2021
• The Conscience Protection Act of 2017 - November 2, 2017
• The Need for the Conscience Protection Act of 2017 - September 7, 2017
• Cases Showing the Need for the Conscience Protection Act - March 21, 2017
• Federal Conscience Protection on Abortion: No Threat to Life - February 14, 2018
• HHS Refuses to Enforce Weldon Amendment - June 24, 2016
• Cast as a response to the Supreme Court’s narrow decision in Burwell v. Hobby Lobby, S. 2578 actually ranges far beyond that decision, potentially attacking all federal laws protecting conscience rights. Its passage would mark the first time in history that Congress has acted specifically to reduce Americans’ religious freedom. Learn more from the S.2578 Backgrounder! - July 15, 2014
• Twelve Things Everyone Should Know About the Contraceptive Mandate: The proposed "accommodation" is not current rule, but a promise that comes due beyond the point of public accountability; the original rule was finalized "as is." Find out the rest of the twelve things you should know! - January 6, 2014.
• Does the HHS Mandate Include Abortifacients?
• Check out 4 quick reasons why the Administration's proposed revisions to the contraceptive mandate do not remove the burden imposed on religious freedom.
• Find out why we need the Health Care Conscience Rights Act to protect the religious liberty and conscience rights of all Americans. - September 8, 2015
• The New Federal Regulation on Coerced Abortion Payments: Under the new health care reform law, millions of American taxpayers will be forced to support abortion coverage in two ways. Our backgrounder explains how. - April 11, 2012
• Some are concerned that the Respect for Rights of Conscience Act may be overly expansive. Find out why the Act simply preserves the freedom of conscience that existed prior to the mandate. - March 20, 2012
• "White House Misrepresents Its Own Contraceptive Mandate"
  The Obama administration, to justify its widely-criticized mandate for contraception and sterilization coverage in private health plans, posted a set of false and misleading claims on the White House blog ("Health Reform, Preventive Services, and Religious Institutions," February 1). This USCCB fact sheet quotes and responds to each claim in turn. - February 2, 2012

USCCB Testimony, Statements and Letters

• Letter of Archbishops Naumann and Kurtz to the House of Representatives in Support of the Conscience Protection Act of 2019, April 3, 2019
• Joint Letter to Congress: Support the Conscience Protection Act of 2017 (H.R. 644), September 6, 2017
• Letter of Cardinal Dolan and Archbishop Lori to the Senate in Support of the Conscience Protection Act of 2017, February 8, 2017 (Letter to the House)
• Cardinal Dolan and Archbishop Lori Urge Passage of The Conscience Protection Act of 2016, July 7, 2016 (PDF)
• Joint Letter to Congress: Support for the Conscience Protection Act of 2016 (H.R. 4828), April 19, 2016
• Cardinal Dolan and Archbishop Lori Urge Congress to Support the Conscience Protection Act of 2016, March 31, 2016 (Letter to the Senate, May 16, 2016)
• Congress Urged to Act for Protection of Religious Freedom and Conscience Rights in the District of Columbia, March 20, 2015
• Cardinal O'Malley, Archbishop Lori Urge Congress to Support Health Care Conscience Rights Act, February 13, 2015 (Senate letter, September 8, 2015)
• Cardinal O'Malley and Archbishop Lori call on congress to support the Abortion Non-Discrimination Act, November 17, 2014
• Archbishop Lori and Cardinal O'Malley urge senators to oppose S. 2578’s unprecedented attack on conscience and religious freedom, July 14, 2014.
• Letter to the Council of the District of Columbia Against the Reproductive Health Non-Discrimination Amendment Act, July 2, 2014
• Cardinal O’Malley Welcomes Supreme Court Decision Affirming Freedom of Speech for Pro-Life Americans, June 26, 2014
• Archbishop Kurtz Asks President Obama For Temporary Relief From Burdensome Fines Against Ministries Of Service To The Poor, Sick And Vulnerable - December 31, 2013
• U.S. Bishops Issue ‘Special Message’ on HHS Mandate at Conclusion of General Assembly - November 13, 2013
• Cardinal O'Malley & Archbishop Lori Letter to Congress Urging Conscience Rights Protection in Must-Pass Legislation - September 26, 2013
• Standing Together for Religious Freedom: An Interreligious Joint Statement by 100 Religious Leaders - July 2, 2013 (también en español)
• Joint Letter to Congress from Archbishop Lori Together with Dr. Russell Moore of the Southern Baptist Convention in Support of the Health Care Conscience Rights Act of 2013 (H.R. 940 and S. 1204) - June 21, 2013
• Comments on Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on Preventive Services - March 2013
• Cardinal O'Malley Urges Support for Health Care Conscience Rights Act - March 8, 2013
  "A failure to provide clear and enforceable protection for a right of conscience could undermine Americans' access to quality health care. Providers of health care, as well as those who offer or purchase insurance, should not face an unacceptable choice between preserving their religious and moral integrity or participating in our health care system." Read the full letter .
• Archbishop Lori Urges Congress to Include Conscience Provisions in Funding Bills - February 15, 2013
  "The new approach [found in the new notice of proposed rulemaking] even threatens to undermine access to quality health care, by telling providers as well as those who offer or purchase insurance that they need to drop their participation in the health care system if they want to preserve their religious and moral integrity." Read more.
• Bishops Urge Congress to Act on Religious Liberty Crisis in Health Care Before Year's End - August 3, 2012.
  Cardinal DiNardo called on Congress to address the crisis in health care sparked by the Obama administration's contraceptive/sterilization coverage mandate in an August 3 letter .
• Bishops Welcome Inclusion of Conscience Provisions in House Appropriations Bill – July 18, 2012.
  Cardinal DiNardo wrote a letter to the House Subcommittee on Labor/HHS, urging the inclusion of provisions for conscience protection. Read his letter, and learn more about what provisions wereincluded.
• Comments on Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on Preventive Services - May 15, 2012
• United for Religious Freedom: A Statement of the Administrative Committee of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops - March 14, 2012
• Legal Analysis of the HHS Regulation & Bulletin on Sterilization/Contraception Mandate by the USCCB Office of the General Counsel - March 7, 2012
• Bishop Lori's written testimony in defense of conscience rights & religious liberty submitted to House Judiciary Committee - Feb 28, 2012
  His oral testimony delivered before the committee (short form of above comments).
• "The Parable of the Kosher Deli" - Testimony of Most Reverend William E. Lori, Bishop of Bridgeport , on behalf of the USCCB before the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, U.S. House of Representatives - February 16, 2012
• Letter from Cardinal DiNardo to the Senate Regarding the "Respect for Rights of Conscience Act," H.R. 1179 /S. 1467 - February 15, 2012
• Bishops Renew Call to Legislative Action on Religious Liberty
  On February 10 the Catholic bishops of the United States called for a renewed effort to change the HHS imposed mandate that violates religious liberty.
• Cardinal DiNardo's Letter to Congress Regarding the "Abortion Non-Discrimination Act," HR 361/S. 165 – December 7, 2011
• Cardinal DiNardo's Letter to Rep. Pitts, Chair of House Subcommittee on Health, Urging Support for Conscience Rights - November 1, 2011
• Cardinal DiNardo's Letter to Congress Concerning the "Protect Life Act", HR 358 - October 12, 2011
• Cardinal DiNardo's Letter to US Congress on Preventive Services " - September 7, 2011
• Comments on Interim Final Rules Imposing Contraceptive Mandate - August 31, 2011
• Cardinal DiNardo's Letter to Congress Concerning Respect for Rights of Conscience Act HR-1179 - July 22, 2011
• Cardinal DiNardo's Letter to Senate Encouraging Support for the "Abortion Non-Discrimination Act," S. 165 – May 18, 2011
• Cardinal DiNardo's Letter to House Urging Support for "Respect for Rights of Conscience Act," HR-1179 - April 6, 2011

Commentary

• No One Should Be Forced to Participate in Abortion by Greg Schleppenbach, December 1, 2017
• Time to Speak Up for Conscience Rights by Richard Doerflinger- May 25, 2016
• Keep Vigilant for Religious Liberty by Deirdre A. McQuade- July 18, 2014 (en español)
• Much Ado About Hobby Lobby by Richard Doerflinger- July 4, 2014 (en español)
• Speaking for Myself by Erin Stoyell-Mulholland- June 20, 2014 (en español)
• The Freedom to Serve by Tom Grenchik- June 6, 2014 (en español)
• Women's Freedom, Redefined by Richard Doerflinger- April 11, 2014 (en español)
• What is Conscience Protection for? by Aaron Weldon- January 3, 2014 (en español)
• Stand with Sr. Jane Marie by Deirdre A. McQuade - August 20, 2013
  (en español)
• Keeping Politics Out of Church? by Richard M. Doerflinger - January 18, 2013 ( en español )
• Conscientious Abortions? We Don't Need New Laws Protecting Abortionists by Richard M. Doerflinger in Public Discourse, a publication of the Witherspoon Institute at Princeton University - January 16, 2013
• After the Election: Life, Marriage and Freedom by Richard Doerflinger - November 19, 2012 ( en español )
• Suing the Administration by Tom Grenchik - October 12, 2012 ( en español )
• Praying for Life & Liberty by Deirdre A. McQuade - October 1, 2012
• Letter in Response to NY Times Article of June 6, 2012, "No Abortion Role Seen for Morning-After Pill" by Richard M. Doerflinger - June 7, 2012
• Fortnight 4 Freedom: Prayers, Witness and Action by Deirdre McQuade - June 6, 2012
• Commentary Is Conscience Partisan? A Look at the Clinton, Moynihan, and Kennedy Records by Richard M. Doerflinger in Public Discourse - April 30, 2012
• The High Cost of Conscience by Tom Grenchik - February 03, 2012
• On Conscience Rights: There Oughta Be a Law by Richard Doerflinger - December 09, 2011
• Standing Together for Conscience Rights by Deirdre McQuade - October 17, 2011
• Stop the New Attack on Conscience Rights by Richard Doerflinger - September 16, 2011
• The High Costs of 'Free' Birth Control by Richard Doerflinger - July 28, 2011
• "Preventive Services" that Carry a High Human Cost by Susan E. Wills - September 17, 2010

News Releases

• U.S. Catholic Bishops' Chairmen Deeply Disappointed by Congress' Failure to Enact the Conscience Protection Act - March 22, 2018
• Chairmen Call Faithful to Prayer and Action Urging Congress to Enact the Conscience Protection Act - March 6, 2018
• Cardinal Dolan and Archbishop Lori to Congress: Support the Conscience Protection Act of 2017 - February 10, 2017
• Cardinal Dolan And Archbishop Lori Commend House Passage, Call On Congress To Enact The Conscience Protection Bill - July 13, 2016
• Cardinal Dolan And Archbishop Lori To Congress: Government's Coercion On Abortion Needs Immediate Remedy - July 7, 2016 (Text of Letter)
• USCCB Committee Chairmen Say Federal Agency Fails to Protect Churches from California Elective Abortion Mandate - June 22, 2016
• Cardinal O’Malley, Archbishop Lori Urge Congress To Include Abortion Non-Discrimination Act In Funding Legislation - November 18, 2014
• USCCB President, Diverse Religious Leaders Come Together To Urge Congress To Protect Religious Freedom Restoration Act- July 1, 2014
• Supreme Court Decision On Hobby Lobby: A Great Day For The Religious Freedom Of Family Businesses - June 30, 2014
• Cardinal O’Malley Welcomes Supreme Court Decision Affirming Freedom of Speech for Pro-Life Americans - June 26, 2014
• U.S. Bishops File Amicus Curiae Brief Supporting Hobby Lobby and Conestoga Wood Specialties in Supreme Court Cases Challenging HHS Mandate - Jan 28, 2014
• HHS Final Rule Still Requires Action In Congress, By Courts, Says Cardinal Dolan - July 3, 2013
• Catholic, Southern Baptist Religious Liberty Leaders Lead Open Letter Effort For Conscience Protection Given HHS Mandate - July 2, 2013
• Catholic and Southern Baptist Religious Liberty Leaders Urge Senate to Support Health Care Conscience Rights Act; Welcome Introduction of S. 1204 - June 21, 2013
• Religious Liberty Chair Backs Litigants Opposing HHS Mandate - April 8, 2013
• USCCB Says Administration Mandate Violates First Amendment Freedoms of Religious Organizations and Others - March 20, 2013 ( full text of comments )
• Cardinal O'Malley Urges Support for Health Care Conscience Rights Act - March 11, 2013 (See letter ).
• Archbishop Lori Welcomes Introduction of "Health Care Conscience Rights Act" - March 5, 2013
• Archbishop Lori Urges Congress to Include Conscience Provisions in Funding Bills - February 15, 2013 (See letter ).
• HHS Proposal Falls Short in Meeting Church Concerns; Bishops Look Forward to Addressing Issues With Administration ( en español ) - February 7, 2013
• Bishops Welcome Opportunity to Study New HHS Regulations - February 1, 2013
• Bishops Urge Catholics to Pray for Life, Marriage, Religious Liberty ( en español ) - December 6, 2013
• USCCB Responds to Inaccurate Statement of Fact on HHS Mandate Made During Vice Presidential Debate - October 12, 2012
• Mass, Pilgrimage for Life, Liberty Set for October 14 at National Shrine - September 20, 2012
• Bishops Urge Congress to Act on Religious Liberty Crisis in Health Care Before Year's End - August 3, 2012.
  Cardinal DiNardo called on Congress to address the crisis in health care sparked by the Obama administration's contraceptive/sterilization coverage mandate in an August 3 letter.
• Bishops Welcome Inclusion of Conscience Provisions in House Appropriations Bill – July 18, 2012.
  Cardinal DiNardo wrote a letter to the House Subcommittee on Labor/HHS, urging the inclusion of provisions for conscience protection. Read his letter, and learn more about what provisions wereincluded.
• Bishops Renew Plea to Congress and Administration to Repair Affordable Care Act - June 28, 2012
• Actions in House Appropriations Committee Cause for Celebration - June 21, 2012
• Cardinal Dolan Applauds Church Agencies as They Challenge HHS for Violating Religious Freedom - May 21, 2012
• Dioceses Gear Up For Fortnight For Freedom, June 21-July 4 - June 11, 2012
• Baltimore, Washington Liturgies To Bookend National Celebration Of Fortnight For Freedom - May 18, 2012
• USCCB Submits Comments on Proposed HHS Rulemaking, Urges Re-Opening of Final Rule Defining Mandate, Exemption - May 15, 2012 < Full Text of Comments >
• Bishops Appeal Federal Decision That U.S. Constitution Forbids Religious Accommodation, Requires Abortion, Contraception Funding in Anti-Trafficking Service Contract - April 17, 2012
• Bishops Issue Call to Action to Defend Religious Liberty - April 12, 2012
• Bishops Promise to Continue 'Vigorous Efforts' Against HHS Violations of Religious Freedom in Health Care Reform Mandate - March 14, 2012
• Cardinal Dolan Voices Dismay at Handling by White House in Letter Updating Bishops on HHS Mandate Controversy - March 2, 2012
• Senate Vote to Set Aside Conscience Act Marks Chance to Build Bipartisan Support, Seek Judicial Remedies for Religious Freedom - March 1, 2012
• HHS Mandate Creates Absurd Results, Bishop Lori Tells House Judiciary Committee - February 28, 2012
• Bishop Lori Tells Parable of the Kosher Deli and the Pork Mandate in Congressional Testimony - February 16, 2012
• Cardinal Urges Senate Support of "Respect for Rights of Conscience Act" - February 15, 2012
• Bishop Blaire Refutes White House Press Secretary's Claim that Bishops Never Supported Heath Care Reform - February 14, 2012
• Bishops Renew Call to Legislative Action on Religious Liberty - February 10
• White House Misrepresents Its Own Contraceptive Mandate - February 3, 2012
• Bishops Decry HHS Rule, Urge Catholics to Stand Up for Religious Liberty and Conscience Rights in Homilies at Vigil for Life - January 23, 2012
• Cardinal-Designate Dolan Speaks Out Against HHS Rule, Calls For Action In New Web Video - January 20, 2012
• U.S. Bishops Vow to Fight HHS Edict - January 20, 2012
• U.S. Bishops Welcome Pope's Reaffirmation of Religious Liberty During Ad Limina Visit - January 19, 2012
• Bishops Hail Court Decision Upholding Religious Liberty - January 11, 2011
• Bishop Lori to Brief Bishops on Religious Liberty Issues; Names Members, Consultants of Ad Hoc Committee - November 10, 2011
• Cardinal Calls For Greater Conscience Protection In Health Care Reform On Eve Of Subcommittee Hearing - November 1, 2011
• Bishops' Pro-Life Official Hails House Passage of 'Protect Life Act' - October 14, 2011
• Catholic Organizations to Congress, Administration: Protect Conscience Rights-
  October 12, 2011
  Cardinal Reaffirms Support for Respect for Rights of Conscience Act, Cites HHS Mandate as Cause for Urgency - September 7, 2011
• USCCB Urges Rescission of HHS Contraceptive Mandate, Criticizes 'Inexplicably Narrow' Definition of Religious Freedom - August 31, 2011
• USCCB: HHS Mandate for Contraceptive and Abortifacient Drugs Violates Conscience Rights - August 1, 2011
• Bishops' Pro-Life Chair Strongly Opposes Recommended Mandate for Birth Control, Sterilization in Private Health Plans - July 19, 2011
• Pro-Life Spokesperson Urges Institute of Medicine Committee to Focus on Life-Saving Preventive Health Services for Women, Exclude Contraception, Sterilization - November 16, 2010