Is religious freedom suddenly under attack in America? That\u2019s what the nation\u2019s Roman Catholic bishops and some non-Catholic allies would have you believe. But reports of the demise of this fundamental liberty are greatly exaggerated.<\/p>\n
The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops has designated June 21 to July 4 as a \u201cfortnight for freedom.\u201d During those two weeks, the church will trumpet its already well-known opposition to an Obama administration regulation that private health insurance plans include contraception services. The rule applies not to churches but to colleges, hospitals and charities that serve and employ non-Catholics. Even so, the bishops insist that it undermines their church\u2019s religious mission to serve the larger community without compromising its beliefs.<\/p>\n