Groups in Rochester and Canandaigua will be rallying March 23 against a U.S. Department of Health and Human Services mandate that would require most religious employers to provide free contraceptives, sterilization and abortifacients through their employee health-insurance plans.
Top Catholic officials have said that the policy would infringe on institutions’ and individuals’ religious freedoms and violate their religious convictions.
The Rochester rally — which will take place from noon to 1 p.m. at the Federal Building, 100 State St. — is among the rallies taking place in more than 100 other cities in the country on March 23. For details, visit http://Standupforreligiousfreedom.com or call Dr. Barb Fredericks at 585-458-5628.
Speakers at the Rochester event are Father Tony Mugavero, pastor of Holy Apostles Church; Jann Armantrout, life-issues coordinator for the Diocese of Rochester; the Rev. Mike Warren of Rescue Rochester; Pastor William Everett of Divine Revelation Church; Duane Motley of NY Family Research Foundation; and James Gerloromino of St. Thomas More Catholic Lawyers Guild.
The Canandaigua rally will begin at 11:15 a.m. at St. Mary Church, 95 N. Main St. For details, visit www.stmarycanandaigua.org or contact Deacon Claude Lester at clester@dor.org or 585-394-1220, ext. 15.
