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Cardinal Dolan Speaks Out Against Birth Control Policy To Crowd In Hicksville

HICKSVILLE, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- Cardinal Timothy Dolan is speaking out once again about the controversy involving contraceptive coverage in health insurance plans and the Catholic church.

Dolan addressed a crowd of over 500 people for about 45 minutes Saturday at Holy Trinity High School in Hicksville. His talk was about a host of topics, and he vowed to keep fighting a new law that requires employers to cover the cost of contraceptives even when it's against their religious beliefs.

"We are not trying to impose our teachings on anybody," he said. "We are simply saying don't impose your teaching upon us and make us do as a church what we find unconscionable to do."

LISTEN: WCBS 880's Monica Miller reports

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"We're talking about an unwarranted, unprecedented radical intrusion into the interior life of integrity of a church's ability to teach, service and sanctify it's own," he said.

Cardinal Dolan said the Health and Human Services regulation on providing free contraceptive services to employees of religiously based institutions is a violation of religious freedom.

LISTEN: 1010 WINS' Sophia Hall reports

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On Thursday, the Senate narrowly defeated a move to overturn the policy in a close, 51-48 vote.

"The closeness of the vote shows how high the stakes are for women this year," Sen. Charles Schumer said.

Joann Smith of Planned Parenthood said the law must be upheld to protect women's health.

"I believe this is not a religious issue. It's not about religion. It's about access to contraceptive coverage," she said. "For women who can't afford access to contraception, it is a huge issue."

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