The American Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) expressed disapproval on Friday of the fresh provision introduced by the Biden administration, which obliges employers to supply leave to workers wishing to have an abortion.
Biden's administration, via the Equal Opportunities Committee (EEOC), announced this week a change in national regulations on fair treatment of pregnant workers. This amendment introduces an work for employers to supply "reasonable improvements", including giving workers free time to have abortions.
According to the latest announcement on the amendment by the EEOC, the fresh rules will enter into force 60 days after publication. This is part of the Commission's efforts to implement the Law on Equal Treatment of Pregnant Workers (PWFA).
In consequence to the fresh rules, Bishop Kevin Rhoades issued a message stating that "no employer should be forced to participate in the employee's decision to end the child's life".
"It is not up to the defence that the Committee on Equal Opportunities in employment distorts the law in a way that violates the conscience of pro-life employers, forcing them to facilitate abortion," argued the prelate.
Last year, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) published its position on the proposed bill, in which bishops, together with the Catholic University of America, stressed that the PWFA (Pregnant Workers Fairness Act) did not impose the work to supply services in support of abortion.
Bishops and the Catholic University of America in their comments explained that the intent of the PWFA (Pregnant Workers Fairness Act) is to supply comfort to pregnant women and those who give birth so that they can proceed work without harming their health. According to them, the bill deals with pregnancy and childbirth situations alternatively than abortion. Abortion, as they stressed, is simply a procedure that is not related to pregnancy or childbirth due to the fact that its intent is to abort pregnancy and kill the child.
The Conference of Catholic Bishops of the United States (USCCB) supported the PWFA Act (Pregnant Workers Fairness Act), while it was inactive in the process of proceeding in Congress. However, despite this support, concerns were expressed that the introduction of this law could origin employers to bear the costs of abortion.
According to the government, the fresh regulation applies to all employers, both public and private, who employment at least 15 employees. According to the government, however, its application depends on whether the required facilities will not origin “excessive difficulties” for the employer in moving the business.
The structures of the abortion manufacture are growing, including fresh elements into the social system. Providing leave at work suggests that abortion is treated as part of social security. More and more people and entities are active in a widely understood abortion procedure. The question arises of guaranteeing a clause of conscience for employers who do not want to support abortion in any way. Granting leave may mean indirect participation in this process. Politicians strive for full normalization of abortion, making it part of social relations, which can make it common and unopposed.
jb, pg
Source: catholicnewsagency.com