From a letter from Colorado’s bishops written to three state lawmakers in reference to a state bill mandating that hospitals make available and to give "emergency contraception" .<\/p>\n
"We recognize that there are those who differ in their beliefs regarding the stage at which human life begins and is deserving of recognition and protection. But the state has long recognized and respected the rights of both individual physicians and hospitals to practice medicine that is consistent with their belief regarding the value of human life at all stages from the moment of conception. HB 1042 would erode those protections by mandating that a hospital provide a treatment regardless of the potential effect on a newly formed life.<\/p>\n
"If enacted, HB 1042 would have the dubious distinction of being the first law in Colorado to require a Catholic entity to actively violate its own teachings. . . . "<\/p>\n
A letter from Colorado’s three highest-ranking Catholics angered a House Democrat on Monday who said she resented "being told how to be a good Catholic."<\/p>\n
The letter was read aloud on the House floor by Rep. Keith King, R-Colorado Springs.<\/p>\n
Rep. Fran Coleman, a Denver Democrat who said she was raped a few years ago, publicly admonished the Colorado Catholic Conference for its opposition to a bill that would require hospitals to give emergency contraception information to sexual assault victims.<\/p>\n
The conference represents Denver Archbishop Charles Chaput, Pueblo Bishop Arthur Tafoya and Colorado Springs Bishop Michael Sheridan.<\/p>\n
"I absolutely resent the Catholic Church preaching to me because I represent people of all faiths," a red-faced Coleman said during debate on the House floor. "I question their ability to continue to be in a tax-exempt status. We don’t need to be preached or read to."<\/p>\n