Catholic organisations take Obama Administration to court

More than forty Catholic dioceses and organisations in the United States are to sue the Obama Administration over its policy of forcing Catholics employers to put their workers in insurance plans that are contrary to Catholic ethos.

These plans provide workers with free abortifacients, such as the morning-after pill, sterilisation and contraception, all of which are against Catholic teaching.  The dioceses and organisations taking the action say the Obama administration is violating their freedom of religion, which is guaranteed by the First Amendment of the Constitution.

The archdioceses of New York and Washington DC are among those taking part in the legal action.

The website of the Washington DC diocese says, “This lawsuit is about an unprecedented attack by the federal government on one of America’s most cherished freedoms; the freedom to practice one’s religion without government interference.”  It continues, “It is not about whether people have access to certain services; it is about whether the government may force religious institutions and individuals to facilitate and fund services which violate their religious beliefs.”

The decision by the Obama administration to force religious employers to put their workers in insurances schemes that provide free abortifacients etc. has caused one of the fiercest Church/State clashes in recent years.  The decision has been condemned by numerous Catholic Church leaders, Protestant Church leaders, among others.

by Tom O'Gorman