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Joliet Bishop Slams Obama Administration Over Birth Control Rule

JOLIET, Ill. (CBS) -- Roman Catholics in the Joliet Diocese will be hearing about birth control from their bishop at mass this weekend.

As WBBM's Bernie Tafoya reports, Joliet Bishop Daniel Conlon will have a letter read at masses throughout his diocese this weekend. It criticizes an Obama administration rule that takes effect next year.

LISTEN: WBBM Newsradio's Bernie Tafoya reports

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The rule requires religious-based hospitals, schools and charities that employ non-Catholics to pay for "all FDA-approved forms of contraception" for employees.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services requirement was issued on a recommendation by an arm of the arm of the National Academy of Sciences. The academy considers access to birth control improves maternal and infant mortality rates.

Conlon says he knows that many Catholics ignore Church teaching on the subject, which states that birth control is never acceptable under any circumstances.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church states the teaching thusly: "Every action which, whether in anticipation of the conjugal act, or in its accomplishment, or in the development of its natural consequences, proposes, whether as an end or as a means, to render procreation impossible is intrinsically evil."

But regardless, Conlon says, the federal rule breaches the wall of separation between church and state.

Conlon's letter will be read before all masses on Saturday and Sunday.

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