“Convictions of Conscience” or Bigotry?Tommi Avicolli-Meccabyline‚ Jun. 22‚ 2009The cultural wars continue. Last week, Catholic leaders in Nebraska pushed to exempt mental health professionals such as psychologists from having to give counseling to those they have a problem with, such as queer couples, or even to refer them to another psychologist. Jim Cunningham, executive director of the Nebraska Catholic Conference, asked at a hearing at the Board of Mental Health Practice that the regulatory body pass a proposed “convictions of conscience” standard that would allow organizations such as Catholic Charities in Omaha and Catholic Social Services in Lincoln to refuse service (or even to make referrals) based on the sexual orientation or gender identity of the patient. |