EWTN to appeal after ‘troubling’ HHS mandate ruling

Last updated on: June 17, 2014 at 11:36 pm by CNA Daily News

EWTN to appeal after ‘troubling’ HHS mandate ruling 2014-06-17T23:36:00+00:00 CNA Daily News

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Irondale, Ala., Jun 17, 2014 / 05:36 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- The EWTN Global Catholic Network has announced that it will appeal a June 17 ruling that would require it to facilitate products and procedures that go against Church teaching.

“We have no other option but to continue our legal challenge of the mandate,” said Michael P. Warsaw, chairman and CEO of EWTN. “We are making an immediate appeal to the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals in Atlanta.”

U.S. District Court Judge Callie V.S. Granade of Mobile, Ala., ruled against EWTN in its challenge to a federal regulation that the network says require it to violate its Catholic faith.

“We are extremely disappointed with the decision reached by the court in this case,” Warsaw said.

“The opinion issued is clearly inconsistent with the decisions reached in nearly all of the cases decided to date. The fact that the court has dismissed the serious issues of conscience and religious freedom that EWTN has raised is very troubling.”

“As an organization that was founded to uphold the teachings of the Catholic Church, we do not believe that contraception, abortion-inducing drugs and voluntary sterilization should be defined as health care,” he added. “We simply cannot facilitate these immoral practices.”

The EWTN lawsuit challenges the federal HHS mandate, which requires most employers to either provide or facilitate employee insurance coverage for contraception, sterilization and some drugs that can cause early abortions.

More than 300 plaintiffs have filed lawsuits across the country charging that the mandate violates federal and constitutional protections of religious freedom.

An important ruling about the mandate as it applies to for-profit businesses owned by individuals with religious objections is expected from the Supreme Court later this month.

In early 2012, EWTN filed an initial lawsuit against the regulation. However, that suit was dismissed on technical grounds in March 2013. The current lawsuit was filed in October 2013.

The Catholic network is being joined in its lawsuit by the state of Alabama.

“Alabama has a proud history of protecting our First Freedom,” said Alabama Attorney General Luther Strange. “We have been honored to continue that tradition by standing with EWTN and protecting rights of conscience for all Alabama citizens, and we will continue to support EWTN as it appeals the district court’s disappointing decision.”

Lori Windham, senior counsel at the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty, which is defending EWTN in court, noted that more than 80 percent of cases have received rulings protecting religious freedom of those objecting to the mandate.

“This decision is out of step with the overwhelming majority of decisions in similar cases nationwide,” she said.

Established 33 years ago, EWTN is the largest religious media network in the world, reaching over 230 million television households in more than 140 countries and territories.

The network includes television, radio and a publishing arm, along with a website and both electronic and print news services.

Previous Post

June 17, 2014

Gates abortion funding drop met with praise, caution

Next Post

June 18, 2014 New USCCB social development director aims to fight poverty

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Americas Asia - Pacific Europe Middle East - Africa Uncategorized US Vatican

Select a Month November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

What does "Sheol," often found in Psalms, mean?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Eternal light The grave or abode of the dead Above the mountain Blessing