Three US states back EWTN religious liberty lawsuit

Last updated on: August 5, 2014 at 6:49 pm by CNA Daily News

Three US states back EWTN religious liberty lawsuit 2014-08-05T18:49:00+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.

Washington D.C., Aug 5, 2014 / 12:49 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- Alabama, Georgia, and Florida each filed legal briefs on Monday in support of EWTN in a lawsuit over the HHS mandate, saying the federal rule unjustly and illegally burdens the network’s religious freedom.

“We are grateful for all the support that we have received in our fight for religious freedom,” EWTN chairman Michael Warsaw said Aug. 4.

With their “amicus curiae” briefs, the three states join 20 other groups, including a pro-life coalition and a coalition of religious ministries, in support of EWTN’s lawsuit.

The lawsuit challenges certain federal Department of Health and Human Services rules instituted by the Obama administration in the name of “preventive care.” The rules require employers to provide insurance coverage for sterilization procedures and contraceptive drugs, including drugs which can cause abortion.

The rules are particularly burdensome upon Catholic organizations, which reject the mandated procedures and drugs as unethical. Catholic teaching also rejects cooperation in providing the objectionable procedures and drugs.

Lori Windham, senior council at the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty, which is defending EWTN in court, praised the states’ involvement.

“It sets a powerful example when three states stand up to support religious freedom for ministries like EWTN,” she said.

“These states recognize that they must protect religious freedom for their citizens. It’s time for the federal government to realize the same thing and stop fighting ministries like EWTN and the Little Sisters of the Poor.”

EWTN was founded by the Franciscan nun Mother Angelica to help advance the faith. It now broadcasts television to over 230 million homes in more than 140 countries and territories.

EWTN’s lawsuit against the mandate was originally dismissed in early 2013. With Alabama’s attorney general, EWTN filed a new lawsuit. It again received an unfavorable ruling, but at the end of June the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals granted the network emergency relief pending the outcome of its appeal.

At least 100 lawsuits filed by more than 300 plaintiffs have challenged the constitutionality of the HHS mandate.

In a June 30 decision, the Supreme Court ruled that closely held businesses whose owners have religious objections to the mandate are protected by the 1993 Religious Freedom Restoration Act.

However, the court has yet to rule on whether religious non-profits are protected from the mandate by constitutional and other federal protections for religious freedom.

Previous Post

August 5, 2014

Pope will meet with survivors of Korean ferry disaster

Next Post

August 5, 2014 Catholic religious brother dies of Ebola in Liberia

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 is a fruit of the Spirit listed in Galatians 5?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Kindness Pride Envy Greed