"We feel because of our values, the choice was this, but that didn't mean it was easy."

A spokesperson for the Friends of St. Frances X. Cabrini, said the group plans to consult with its attorney, but acknowledged, "it doesn't sound good."

Alarming levels of hunger, caused by the worst drought in about half a century, has left about 10 percent of all Ethiopians—some 10 million in all—in need of food aid.

Bishop Lubamba noted that many government observers believe President Kabila is considering changes to the constitution that would allow him to run for a third term.

Two mandates from the New York State Department of Financial Services have been placed on insurers—without any legislative or regulatory enactment—that have the effect of forcing religious and other employers to pay for abortions in employee health plans.

The spokesman insisted "it is wrong to reduce all the important things the pope said to the religious women to just this question."