DETROIT — With the Department of Health and Human Services’ contraception, sterilization and abortion drugs mandate going into effect for some businesses Aug. 1, the Michigan Catholic Conference is calling on Catholics to take action.

The conference, the public policy arm of the Catholic Church in Michigan, is asking people to contact their congressional representative and Michigan’s two senators during the August recess to urge support this year for the Respect for Rights of Conscience Act, which would protect religious liberty for those morally opposed to such coverage.

A prewritten, editable letter is available on the Michigan Catholic Conference’s website, www.micatholicconference.org. The form allows visitors to automatically send the letter to their representative, as well as Sens. Debbie Stabenow and Carl Levin, both Democrats.