 In it, Bishop Fiorenza addressed the conscience issue, stating, “It is not an invasion of conscience for the Church to ask those who minister in her name about their adherence to Church teaching.”

Gramick's own religious order - the School Sisters of Notre Dame – asked her to stop speaking publicly on gay rights.Gramick indicated her intention to carry on her work, stating, "I choose not to collaborate in my own oppression by restricting a basic human right [to speak].To me this is a matter of conscience."