Bishop Michael Barber As the House of Representatives passes the Equality Act, US bishops warn the mandates will “discriminate against people of faith” by adversely affecting charities and their beneficiaries, conscience rights, women’s sports, “and sex-specific facilities”.
The bill, known as HR 5 and recently reintroduced in the House, also provides for taxpayer funding of abortion and limits freedom of speech, the chairmen said in a February 23 letter to all members of Congress.
HR 5 amends the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity in employment, housing, public accommodations, public education, federal funding, the credit system and jury duty. The house passed the passed the Act February 25, 224 votes to 206.
“Human dignity is central to what Catholics believe because every person is made in the image of God and should be treated accordingly, with respect and compassion,” they said. “This commitment is reflected in the church’s charitable service to all people, without regard to race, religion or any other characteristic.”
“It means we need to honour every person’s right to gainful employment free of unjust discrimination or harassment, and to the basic goods that they need to live and thrive,” they continued. “It also means that people of differing beliefs should be respected.”
HR 5 “purports to protect people experiencing same-sex attraction or gender discordance from discrimination. But instead, the bill represents the imposition by Congress of novel and divisive viewpoints regarding ‘gender’ on individuals and organisations,” they said.
“This includes dismissing sexual difference and falsely presenting ‘gender’ as only a social construct,” they said.
Signing the letter were: Bishop Michael Barber, chairman of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on Catholic Education; Archbishop Paul Coakley, chairman of the USCCB Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development; Cardinal Timothy Dolan of the USCCB Committee for Religious Liberty; Bishop David Konderla of the USCCB Subcommittee for the Promotion and Defence of Marriage; and Archbishop Joseph Naumann of the USCCB Committee on Pro-Life Activities.