Stand up for Truth: Contraception, Abortion, Health Insurance, and Belmont Abbey College

One of my favorite quotes comes from a Catholic author named Flannery O'Conner: "You shall know the truth and the truth shall make you odd." It's extremely difficult to stand up for truth. Kudos to this Catholic college for refusing to back down to pressure to keep contraception and abortion coverage in their health insurance plan.

Belmont Abbey College, a Benedictine-affiliated school in North Carolina, recently discovered that their health care insurance plan unintentionally offered coverage for contraceptives and abortion for women. The college immediately took steps to cancel this part of their coverage, and is currently receiving a lot of heat from the EEOC for refusing to give up their stance on abortion and contraception.

This is what the college's president had to say on the matter: "As a Roman Catholic institution, Belmont Abbey College is not able to and will not offer nor subsidize medical services that contradict the clear teaching of the Catholic Church . . .There was no other course of action possible if we were to operate in fidelity to our mission and to our identity as a Catholic college."

He also stated that Belmont Abbey was committed to remaining true to its Catholic principles, which include "valuing all life and treating individuals with dignity and respect."