Pastor opposes morning after pill lawsuit

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OKLAHOMA CITY, Oct. 2 (UPI) -- An Oklahoma pastor is protesting a retailer's legal challenge to an Obama administration rule that health coverage must include the morning after pill.

The row started after Hobby Lobby, based in Oklahoma City, sued the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, challenging a rule that employer-provided health insurance must cover contraception and "abortion-inducing drugs."

Lawyers for the retailer said the rule violates business owners' rights to freedom of religion and speech, The Oklahoman reported Monday.

The Rev. Lance Schmitz of the Oklahoma City Church of the Nazarene handed over a petition at the store that he said had 80,000 signatures opposed to Hobby Lobby's lawsuit.

Church of the Nazarene leaders -- who oppose the administration's rule on contraception -- balked and disavowed Schmitz's petition. Schmitz said he was acting on his own accord and not representing the church.