Fair dinkum Poirot what tiresome pap, while you enjoy your self imposed exile from civil discourse under that screen name read:

http://www.sbcbaptistpress.org/BPnews.asp?ID=37220

http://cnsnews.com/news/article/orthodox-bishops-join-opposition-unjust-hhs-contraception-mandate

http://www.foxnews.com/interactive/politics/2012/02/10/statement-by-religious-scholars-on-contraceptive-coverage-policy-change/

http://www.sbcbaptistpress.org/BPnews.asp?ID=37220&fb_source=message

and for everyone's sake get a clue
http://unqualified-reservations.blogspot.com.au/2009/01/gentle-introduction-to-unqualified.html

Dear Poirot,

"This subject rests intrinsically on Catholic precepts and how they are impacted by their seeming incompatibility with many facets of modern Western society."

This should not be the issue because the state has no way to persecute Catholic precepts (which granted, are incompatible with many facets of modern Western society) - it can only persecute PEOPLE who wish to follow those.

Once no one is forced by the law to follow the ways of modern Westen society (or any other ways) against their will, Catholics will benefit as well and be free to practice their precepts.

The problem is that some want to have their freedoms just for themselves, ignoring the fact that they are not the only ones who are oppressed by the state. Catholics should work together with other oppressed people and groups, rather than try to make sole exceptions for their particular precepts.