Bishops react to President Obama’s HHS ‘compromise’

By Catholic Review Staff

The president of the United States Catholic Conference of Bishops reacted to President Obama’s compromise on the HHS mandate by saying there is more work to be done.

According to a statement by the USCCB, the organization sees “initial opportunities in preserving the principle of religious freedom after President Obama’s announcement today.”

The statement said, the “conference continues to express concerns.”

Added Cardinal-designate Timothy Dolan, president of the USCCB: “While there may be an openness to respond to some of our concerns, we reserve judgment on the details until we have them.”

“The past three weeks have witnessed a remarkable unity of Americans from all religions or none at all worried about the erosion of religious freedom and governmental intrusion into issues of faith and morals,” he said.

“Today’s decision to revise how individuals obtain services that are morally objectionable to religious entities and people of faith is a first step in the right direction,” Cardinal-designate Dolan said. “We hope to work with the Administration to guarantee that Americans’ consciences and our religious freedom are not harmed by these regulations.”