FORT WAYNE – The diocese that serves local Catholic churches like Sacred Heart and Our Lady of Guadalupe in Warsaw, St. Francis Xavier in Pierceton and St. Martin De Porres in Syracuse is part of a lawsuit.
On May 21, the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend, Catholic Charities of the diocese and other agencies filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court Northern District of Indiana, Fort Wayne Division.
The University of Notre Dame has filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court Northern District of Indiana, South Bend Division.
These lawsuits are a result of language in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act that requires employers to offer birth control coverage to its employees.
This flies in the face of Catholic doctrine which forbids birth control under any circumstance.
More than 40 diocese have filed similar lawsuits.
“We are in deep solidarity in our conviction that the government is not authorized to force us to violate our consciences, by making us provide, pay for and/or facilitate ‘services’ that are contrary to our religious beliefs,” said the diocese in a prepared statement.
Whether the lawsuits will see a conclusion could depend on whether the Supreme Court deems what is known as ObamaCare constitutional.
The high court is set to give a ruling this summer.
“American history and tradition, embodied in the First Amendment to the United States Constitution and Religious Freedom Restoration Act, protect religious entities from such overbearing and oppressive governmental action,” continued the statement.
According to the diocese, the Health and Human Services exemption excludes most Catholic hospitals, schools, universities and social service providers.
“They are ‘not religious enough,’ according to the HHS mandate, to qualify for the exemption. Our diocese carries out our mission of service through our diocesan offices, parishes and schools, and through the work of our affiliated ministries. All of these institutions are guided by Catholic beliefs,” said the diocese statement.
Follow staff writer Daniel Riordan on Twitter at @TUNews_Riordan
