SAN ANTONIO -- Archbishop Gustavo Garcia-Siller is encouraging all congregations within the San Antonio Archdiocese to stand against a new federal health care mandate.
The Archbishop has written a letter explaining the new health insurance policy, which he calls a threat to religious freedom, and instructed all pastors to read the letter at every mass this weekend. He also encourages Catholics to take a stand and contact their congressional leaders.
Under the mandate, all employers are required to cover contraception and abortion as part of preventative care. Both are against Catholic teachings.
Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius says the new mandate was made after careful consideration.
The policy goes into effect August 1. Religious organizations that don't provide contraceptive coverage based on religious beliefs will have an extra year to comply.