A new pharmacy in northern Virginia that refuses to provide any contraceptives has received the blessing of the Catholic Church.
Bishop Paul S. Loverde, the head of the Diocese of Arlington, came to Divine Mercy Care Pharmacy on Tuesday. About 75 people crowded into the small storefront as Loverde sprinkled holy water and gave his blessings.
The pharmacy opened this week in a Chantilly strip mall. The founders say there are only a handful of others like it in the country.
DMC is not formally affiliated with the Catholic Church, but follows church teachings on birth control. It does not sell condoms, birth control pills or any other form of contraception.
Some women's groups say the pharmacy is part of a troubling trend of denying needed health care services to women.
