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CHARLOTTE — On Dec. 8, North Carolina's two Catholic bishops issued an alert through Catholic Voice NC, its public policy arm, asking Catholics to contact their federal legislators about protecting conscience provisions in budget legislation working its way through Congress before the year's end.

The legislation is an Omnibus Appropriations Bill encompassing nine funding bills for the remaining part of the government's 2012 fiscal year. One of those bills, the House bill for the Labor as well as Health and Human Services departments, contains the Abortion Non-Discrimination Act (ANDA), which protects pro-life health care providers from being forced to participate in and perform abortions or face the risk of losing their jobs.

"ANDA strengthens existing federal conscience protection laws and affirms the principle that no health care entity should be forced by government to perform or participate in abortions," the bishops wrote in their letter. "It is critical that this conscience protection bill remains a part of the omnibus appropriations bill."

Catholic Voice NC operates under the authority of the state's two Catholic bishops. The bishops are kept apprised of legislative matters before the General Assembly and the U.S. Congress. When the situation warrants, the bishops inform Catholic Voice NC participants, via e-mail alert, of an important matter. Participants are often asked to contact their elected representatives to ensure that a Catholic viewpoint is taken into consideration.

To learn more, go online to www.catholicvoicenc.org.

— Patricia L. Guilfoyle, editor

Below is the text of the bishops' letter that was issued:

December 8, 2011

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Congress is preparing to act on an Omnibus Appropriations Bill that will include the nine remaining fiscal year 2012 appropriations bills. The House version of the Labor/Health and Human Services appropriations bill (not numbered) contains the Abortion Non-Discrimination Act (ANDA). It is critical that this conscience protection bill remains a part of the omnibus appropriations bill.

ANDA strengthens existing federal conscience protection laws and affirms the principle that no health care entity should be forced by government to perform or participate in abortions.

Please send your messages today!

Thanks for all you do in support of life!

The Most Reverend Peter J. Jugis

Bishop of Charlotte

The Most Reverend Michael F. Burbidge

Bishop of Raleigh