Federal Government (EEOC) goes after Belmont Abbey College for Being Catholic

8/12/2009

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Employment Opportunity Commission accusing them of discriminating based upon gender. Reuben Daniels Jr., of the EEOC Charlotte District Office Director wrote that the Commission had determined that Belmont Abbey College discriminated against women: �By denying prescription contraception drugs, Respondent (the college) is discriminating based on gender because only females take oral prescription contraceptives� By denying coverage, men are not affected, only women.�

The EEOC also alleged that the College �retaliated� against eight faculty members who filed charges with the EEOC by identifying them by name in a letter to faculty and staff. Daniels wrote: �It is the Commission�s position that the identity of an individual who has filed a charge should be protected with confidentiality during the Commission�s investigation�By disclosing Charging Party�s name, a chilling effect was created on Respondent�s campus whereby other faculty and staff members would be reluctant to file a charge of employment discrimination for fear of disclosure.�

In a statement the College responded: �We are disappointed that this matter has taken this very unusual twist, but we remain committed to ensuring that all of the College�s policies and practices follow the teachings of the Catholic Church, which includes valuing all life and treating individuals with dignity and respect, and providing equal opportunities for all� The College is confident that its actions ultimately will be found to be in compliance with all federal and state laws and with the U.S. Constitution�Accordingly, the College will be asking the EEOC to reconsider each of the current determinations it has made in connection with the charges filed against the College.�

As I conclude you may ask �What is the connection between what is happening to this Catholic College and the current National Health Care debate?� The legislation being offered by the US Congress to allegedly reform health care in the US will produce the same result on a National Level as the Federal Bureaucracy micromanages the program. In effect, the Federal Government is pursuing this action against Belmont Abbey College for being Catholic. If a private health care insurance plan offered by a Catholic College cannot exclude the taking of innocent life through abortion or refuse to pay for chemicals to kill an embryonic person, or refuse to pay for contraception without being charged with �discrimination� against women by the EEOC, imagine the results on a National level.

Planned Parenthood, the Abortion lobby and the proponents of death on demand certainly know how to use the police power of the State to enforce their new regime. As a constitutional lawyer of many years, I can see their legal strategy even now. We call on all of our readers throughout the world to pray for Belmont Abbey College and stand with them in their struggle against the EEOC and the Culture of death. The implications reach far beyond Belmont, North Carolina.

- - -

Pope Benedict XVI's Prayer Intentions for January 2013
General Intention: The Faith of Christians. That in this Year of Faith Christians may deepen their knowledge of the mystery of Christ and witness joyfully to the gift of faith in him.
Missionary Intention: Middle Eastern Christians. That the Christian communities of the Middle East, often discriminated against, may receive from the Holy Spirit the strength of fidelity and perseverance.

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1 - 10 of 41 Comments

John
3 years ago
There is a Catholic student group promoting a e-card campaign of moral support to Belmont Abbey College.

Some 5000 people have sent cards of encouragement so far and anyone is invited to join this effort to support this Catholic college.

For more information visit

http://www.tfpstudentaction.org/get-involved/online-petitions/belmont-abbey-college-resisting-culture-death.html

God bless.
Arlene Stout
3 years ago
I don't know where this matter stands at the moment, but shouldn't the College fire the faculty members who brought these charges?? With their anti-Catholic views, they shouldn't even be teaching there!
Dave
3 years ago
Could the college just opt out of providing health insurance for its employees instead of closing? The cost of health insurance could be transferred from the college to the employee (through higher salary), then the employees would have to find their own health insurance. Would this be an acceptable compromise?
Cate
3 years ago
I'm actually a Junior at Belmont Abbey College. Let me say, the student body overwhelmingly supports Dr. Thierfelder and the Abbot in this decision. Also, I would like to point out that although the college did mention the names of the faculty who filed the claim, they did so after those faculty members publicly tried to get other faculty to join them in protesting; they revealed themselves first. The college fell into some rough times (mostly around the 60s and 70s) and in more recent years has been going back to its roots and reawakening its Catholic heritage and identity. (Incidentally and rather ironically, most of these faculty members are male, as well as getting up there in years; basically they're remnants of the 60s ultra-feminism). These faculty members were unfortunately tenured during the rough times, so they cannot legally be "gotten rid of". The faculty, however, is ever increasing with wonderful, faithful Catholic professors who truly love the Faith, the college, and teaching us students. I stand behind this college and its mission, and pray that justice and truth may prevail in this matter. Both Dr. Thierfelder and the Abbot have stated that if they are forced to provide these services then the college will close. I pray that will not happen. O Holy Virgin Mother of God, pray for us.
Sharon Anne Hudon
3 years ago
The United States of America is no longer operating under our forefathers \'one nation under God\' even though this phrase was put in during the Eisenhower Administration.
Denise
3 years ago
I say they don't have a discrimination case, as sterilization isn't covered, that can be done to men also. No intent to discriminate. Kudos to Belmont for keeping the faith, which is sadly rare these days.
Wes Lisitza
3 years ago
Hmmm...faculty members who file EEOC complaint against a Catholic college because the college rids itself of contraceptive services and products based on the grounds of discriminaton. Did I get this right? I mean, if this really is the case, I have to ask, just what exactly are these faculty members doing on this campus? I see there's an issue of investigating ethics on this campus as well.
Ann Perpetua
3 years ago
The Church has the right to teach and correct society. So, whatever affects the morality of human beings in the Society is major concern to the Catholic Church. The state has no right to change Catholic tradition that existed thousands of years ago in the Catholic Institution if it is not danger to life . IF any person or persons wishes to have contraception, the person should go to where it can be obtained and leave Catholic Institutions and tradition alone as we chose to promote/preserve life at all stages of development not premeditatively using Contraceptives which excludes obstetric emergencies. No one os forced to be a Catholic and if we chose to to be Catholics, let us be free to obey her traditions without interference from the State. Lord Jesus, we trust in You !
Michael
3 years ago
Schuyler, Your concern is good, but in an emergency something like an eptopic pregnacy is not considered a "therapeutic abortion" , nor is a placental tear or where the child is already dead in the womb...
Schuyler
3 years ago
My problem is while being pro life, What about emergency abortion in the case that a mothers life is in danger. Does the insurance still cover that if not I could see how this could be discriminatory towards women. While I believe in the fight we cant use the same one side propaganda we are catholic we should always remeber the whole truth for it is the high fight we are called too. too many of our victories are tainted by deception. And we wonder why so many do not trust us.

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