How can anyone determine the true conscience of another person? What if it is religious in nature and others in the same religion feel differently? That is the most crucial question to be answered in the battle against the use of contraceptives.

Religious conscience can and does change. Contraceptives are now commonly used by Catholics. A recent survey taken of typical Catholics in Florida as suggested by Pope Francis, shows that the core teaching on sexual morals, birth control, homosexuality, marriage and divorce are now considered unrealistic and outdated by the vast majority of Catholics. On the matter of artificial contraception, Florida Bishop Lynch said that Catholics have made up their minds and the sensus fidelium (sense of the faithful) suggests rejection of church teaching on this subject.

Religious conscience is the issue in the current U.S. Supreme Court’s Zubik v. Burwell case. Some religious non-profits don’t want to tolerate the presence of birth control in student and employee health-care plans even though they don’t have to pay for it. Catholic nuns have refused to sign off on allowing coverage of contraceptives under the Affordable Care Act.

Contraceptives are a health issue. Recently, Pope Francis said couples could practice birth control if there is a chance they might conceive a child infected with the Zika virus, which is linked to microcephaly and paralysis when babies are born with an abnormally small head and lifelong disabilities. The virus is spreading and there is no known cure.

Should religious conscience against contraceptives be more important than the health of women and babies? That is the decision the Supreme Court will soon have to make, in particular the four male Roman Catholic Justices who had approved the right of religious conscience.

Gene Proctor,

West Bath