Obama Under Fire Over Birth Control Rules

Catholic leaders in the US have criticised President Barack Obama over new birth control rules which have been described as "declaring war" on the church.

The controversy has become an issue in the presidential race and some believe it could potentially damage Mr Obama in November's election.

The anger is focused on a provision in the Obama administration's new healthcare law that requires staff insurance plans - including those offered by Catholic hospitals and universities - to offer free birth control.

The US Conference of Catholic Bishops has issued an "urgent action alert" calling on the faithful to write to politicians and protest against the law.

Republican presidential candidates Newt Gingrich and Rick Santorum, who are both Catholic, have also criticised the Obama administration as misguided and anti-Catholic.

Mr Gingrich said: "He has basically declared war on the Catholic Church."

Asked if the issue would damage Mr Obama in the election, Mr Gingrich said: "I think there are millions of people who are very disturbed by it."

The White House has defended the policy, saying only institutions such as hospitals that service a large non-Catholic community would have to offer free birth control.

There would be exemptions for anyone who felt their beliefs were being violated.

White House spokesman Jay Carney said: "We need to make sure that those employees of all different faiths have access to contraception. That's why we sought what we believe is an appropriate balance."

Catholics make up about a quarter of the US population and form large parts of the electorate in battleground states like Ohio, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. Mr Obama won all three in 2008 and took 54% of the Catholic vote.

Outside a Catholic church in Cleveland, Ohio, Donald Miller said: "This is basically forcing Catholics to do something that is against their beliefs.

"It puts them in a place where they have to choose between violating God or violating the laws of the country."

Opinion polls show a large majority of US Catholics ignore church teaching against contraceptives and some have dismissed the latest controversy.

In Wisconsin, Wally Brunelli said he would vote for Mr Obama as he did four years ago, even though he opposes the use of contraceptives.

He told Sky News: "Personally I feel as if this is something that a person themselves should decide."

Democrat strategist Geoff Garin told the Los Angeles Times: "It is reasonable to think that the Catholics who are opposed to birth control are unlikely to be Obama supporters for a whole host of other reasons.

"But for the significant majority of the electorate, being identified with increasing access to affordable birth control is a clear-cut positive."