BOSTON – A new lawsuit claims Catholic bishops are wrongly imposing their beliefs on victims of human trafficking by not letting federal grant money be used for emergency contraception, condoms or abortions.
The American Civil Liberties Union filed the complaint Monday in federal court in Boston against the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
It claims HHS, which distributes grant money to help trafficking victims, has allowed the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops to limit the services its subcontractors provide to female trafficking victims.
The ACLU says the bishops’ conference is misusing taxpayer money and attempting to impose its religious beliefs on trafficking victims.
A spokeswoman for the conference did not immediately return a call seeking comment.
Associated Press – January 12, 2009
Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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posted January 12, 2009 at 7:19 pm
I can’t think of any women or little girls who are used in human trafficking that wouldn’t be given every single help they could get to straighten out their lives. To not give everything is to not do the most that health officials are able to do. Nothing should be limited to the subcontractors. This is Federal Grant money.
posted January 12, 2009 at 8:45 pm
Amen Henrietta. If they won’t provide the service get them out of the loop. No pun intended.
posted January 13, 2009 at 11:38 am
Given the regions from which these people come, they seem to trust only the Roman Catholic representatives. Others have tried and not had as much success because the people they want to help are suspicious that the government – whom they fear in every guise – is involved. So RCC rep’s are the best suited to make the initial contact. However, it would be good if these folks were made aware of their choices later as they become part of our social services system.
Any help is better than no help, even if it is incomplete.
posted January 13, 2009 at 11:44 am
I’ve got to agree with jestrfyl. Even though I don’t share the RCC’s stance on birth control and would prefer that they make make that option known to the women and girls they’re dealing with, even partial help is better than no help. All these kinds of lawsuits ever accomplish is forcing Catholic organizations to shut down, and there’s not always anyone else there to replace them.
posted January 13, 2009 at 12:05 pm
Heaven forbid the Catholic church use money intended to help victims of sexual trafficking to help such victims. This phony lawsuit is more proof that pro-choice really means pro-abortion.
posted January 13, 2009 at 8:19 pm
No one denies that pro-choice means pro-availability of abortion. That’s the choice
posted January 14, 2009 at 1:26 pm
RCC Clergy are educated to provide not only religious services, but also counseling services. They are not service for those individuals who wish to receive contraception or an abortion. Victims of trafficing are counseled by the RCC the way the RCC sees fit which is to counsel the individual through the use of Roman Catholic teachings. Of course, the RCC beliefs are going to be imposed on that individual! So, I think they have every right to deny the payment or distribution of ANY contraceptives OR abortion services to anyone who seeks their guideance. The RCC has always been against all of those things. How can the ACLU file a complaint about that? If you ask me… the ACLU is in violation of the Religious freedom of the RCC by trying to dictate what can or cannot be done within that religion. Victims seek an RC priest because they need guideance… not a quick fix. That’s not what a RC Priest’s counseling is for. However, I do believe that the RCC needs to “get with the times” and at least offer sex education by qualified counselors.
If it’s a “quick fix” an individual is looking for, then he/she should seek medical help through the various planned parenthood organizations. Don’t seek out the nearest RC church. The ACLU should stay out of this one.
posted January 14, 2009 at 6:26 pm
The ACLU are questioning the legal use of the Grant money and what it is supposed to be used for, as I understand this article.
posted January 14, 2009 at 9:29 pm
If indeed the RCC isn’t allowing the women who are being used in this horrible trade a choice of emergency contraception, abortion or condoms then they are unfortunately “following their beliefs”, as outrageous as it is in this situation. If indeed the folks saved from this horrible practice trust the RCC, then unfortunately they may be paying the physical price…a rape child or horrible diseases.