43 Catholic Institutions File Suites

43 Roman Catholic dioceses, social service agencies, schools, and other institutions filed lawsuits in 12 federal courts on Monday disputing the Obama administration’s rule that their employees receive coverage for contraception in their health insurance policies.

U.S. President Barack Obama the mandate on contraceptive coverage.

Catholic Biships Unable to Reverse Ruling

The nation’s Catholic bishops, unable to reverse the ruling have now turned to the courts, as they warned they would. The bishops say that the requirement is "an unprecedented attack on religious liberty" because it "compels Catholic employers to provide access to services that are contrary to their religious beliefs". The mandate is part of the Obama administration’s overhaul of the health care system, which the bishops say they otherwise support.

Catholic Institutions Resort to Court

Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan

Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan, whose archdiocese in New York is among the plaintiffs, said in a statement: “We have tried negotiations with the administration and legislation with the Congress — and we’ll keep at it — but there’s still no fix. Time is running out and our valuable ministries and fundamental rights hang in the balance, so we have to resort to the courts now.”

Bishops Reject Obama's Compramise

The bishops rejected a compromise brokered by Mr. Obama in February in an effort to defuse the conflict by having the insurance companies — not the Catholic employers — pay for and administer the coverage for birth control. When some Catholic organizations broke with the bishops and greeted the accommodation positively, the bishops resolved that Catholic institutions must present a united front.

The Plaintiffs and Defendants of the Mandate

Among those filing suit are the Archdioceses of New York, Washington, D.C. and St. Louis; the Dioceses of Dallas, Fort Worth, Pittsburgh, Rockville Centre on Long Island and Springfield, Ill.; the University of Notre Dame and the Catholic University of America; and Our Sunday Visitor, a Catholic publication. All the plaintiffs are being represented by the law firm, Jones Day.

The defendants are the Departments of Health and Human Services, Labor and the Treasury. At least 11 other Catholic and evangelical organizations had already filed lawsuits challenging the birth control mandate, but those cases are still pending.

The White House declined to comment on Monday, instead providing President Obama’s comments when he announced his attempt at a compromise in February: “These employers will not have to pay for, or provide, contraceptive services. But women who work at these institutions will have access to free contraceptive services, just like other women, and they’ll no longer have to pay hundreds of dollars a year that could go towards paying the rent or buying groceries.”

Sister Mary Ann Walsh, a spokeswoman for the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, said the president’s accommodations are vague, insufficient and would still compel Catholic organizations to violate their consciences. She said, “They sound like empty promises.”