Judge Bork predicts ‘terrible conflict' will endanger U.S. Catholics' religious freedom (CNA)

EXCERPT:

Washington DC, Jan 21, 2009 / 03:19 am (CNA).- Former Supreme Court nominee Judge Robert Bork has predicted that upcoming legal battles will have significant ramifications for religious freedom. He names as issues of major concern the continued freedom of Catholic hospitals to refuse to perform abortions and the likely "terrible conflict" resulting from the advancement of homosexual rights.

Speaking in an interview published Tuesday by Cybercast News Service, Judge Bork discussed the contentious nature of modern politics.

"Everything is up for debate these days. I can't think of anything that isn't," he said.

"You are going to get Catholic hospitals that are going to be required as a matter of law to perform abortions," he claimed.

"We are going to see in the near future a terrible conflict between claimed rights of homosexuals and religious freedom… You are going to get Catholic or other groups' relief services that are going to be required to allow adoption of a child by homosexual couples.  We are going to have a real conflict that goes right to the heart of the society."

Asked whether there was a freedom of conscience clause anywhere in the Constitution that might prohibit the U.S. government from compelling a religious hospital to perform abortions, he replied:

"Well, the free exercise of religion clause might fulfill that role."