Ottawa Catholic School Board defends coverage for employees’ contraception and abortifacients

OTTAWA, October 24, 2013 (LifeSiteNews.com) - The Ottawa Catholic School Board is defending its health coverage of contraceptives and abortifacients after a complaint by a Catholic ratepayer.

Andy Pocrnic had urged the school board to remove the coverage in May, warning that it undermines the Church’s moral stance.

The concern came as the U.S. Bishops engage in a high-profile battle with the Obama administration over a health care mandate that would force faith-based institutions and private businesses to offer coverage of contraceptives and abortifacients despite their moral convictions.

But on October 20, superintendent Thomas D'Amico informed Pocrnic that the board’s Benefits Advisory Committee had rejected his request at their October 18 meeting and that the board would continue offering the coverage.

The committee is made up of a representative from each of the board’s six employee unions and associations, including the Ontario English Catholic Teachers Association, CUPE 2357, CUPE 3689, and Unite Here.  (more...)

Ottawa Catholic School Board defends coverage for employees’ contraception and abortifacients