Posted on 03/26/2013 1:35:07 PM PDT by NYer
.- The EWTN Global Catholic Network is “extremely disappointed” by a Monday court ruling that dismissed as “unripe” its lawsuit against a federal mandate that could require the organization to violate Catholic teaching.
“Contraception, sterilization and abortion-inducing drugs are not healthcare. EWTN cannot and will not compromise our strongly held beliefs on these moral issues,” EWTN President and CEO Michael P. Warsaw said March 25.
On Monday Judge Sharon Lovelace Blackburn of the U.S. District Court in Birmingham dismissed the Irondale, Ala.-based organization’s lawsuit until new regulations are “created and finalized.” The March 25 court decision agreed that EWTN has standing to sue, but it sided with Obama administration lawyers who contended that the case is not ripe for review.
The lawsuit initially concerned federal regulations requiring employers to provide insurance coverage for sterilization and contraception, including drugs that can cause abortions. The mandate’s narrow religious exemption did not apply to many Catholic organizations. Violators faced staggering fines of $100 per employee per day.
The Obama administration has since revised the federal rules to require that insurance providers, not employers themselves, provide the objectionable coverage and pay for it out of the “savings” they enjoy from not paying for children. Critics have dismissed the change as an accounting gimmick.
The change also does not address the concerns of EWTN, which is a self-insured employer.
Government lawyers said that the mandate is in the process of being amended and there is “a significant chance” that these changes will “alleviate altogether” the need for judicial review.
Warsaw was doubtful of this outcome. He said that the government has made “promise after promise to amend its unjust rules.”
“As a result, nearly everyone, including the courts, is left waiting to see what the government might or might not do to address the serious issues of conscience that have been raised since the first set of rules were published over a year ago,” he said.
He said the judge did not rule on the constitutional issues he said were “at the heart” of the lawsuit. EWTN is consulting with its legal team from the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty about possible options.
EWTN’s lawsuit cited the need to plan for any financial problems as a result of the mandate. It said there is a danger of third-party lawsuits attempting to enforce the mandate because the safe harbor provision it is presently operating under only protects it against lawsuits from the government.
The court said EWTN will not suffer sufficient hardship before the rules are changed to merit further judicial review, but it allowed that the case may be revisited after further developments.
Warsaw voiced gratitude for the prayers and support for EWTN and asked for continued prayers as the network considers its response.
Sadly I don’t think Mother Angelica is in any condition to fight anyone. It takes a lot to get me to watch a TV evangelist on TV because I think they are all fake. But I have to admit that I Admired Mother Angelica, and I did like watching her show. She told it like it was, and her wit was simply Amazing.
I doubt that there is anyone one left who has the courage to do what she would have done about this Evil mandate if she were able. She would have come out with guns a blazing- Fighting to the death. There is simply no way that she would have rolled over and given in.
In other words, he should wait patiently and trust the evil thugs who are conspiring to trample his constitutional and human rights. This judge does not seem to understand. I wonder how it will work out in public opinion when this business shuts down rather than tolerating pure evil (as I hope they will do if Obama and his cronies do not back down completely).
It seems to me that the judge is complicit with the Obama people. In my opinion the fact that there was an intentional adjustment/fix being done right under the judge’s nose should have told that judge something was rotten/fishy. Of course the judge was probably part of the scam and couldn’t do the right thing of making an order to prevent Obama and his enablers from enforcing any requirement that abridged the religious rights of EWTN. What’s new as to crooked judges ?
I’ve never read this personal account before. Wow!!!
You are so right!! If you have not yet read it, pick up a copy of Raymond Arroyo's book on Mother Angelica.
One customer writes:
The spiritual impact this book has on its reader is amazing. It gives anyone, no matter how difficult their situation, the hope that your life is worth something. Given over to God, the life of every person is powerful.
Even if you are not a "religious person" this story in itself is fascinating and nearly unbelieveable. It is written very well, making a most enjoyable read. A good laugh is also guaranteed.
And for those of you like myself, tired of the liberal Church constantly chipping away at our Faith, you will have plenty to cheer about.
Buy the book; you will not be disappointed.
IT IS TRUE as SO CAL resident it is trueee NYER
OH MAN
That was big story in SO CAL Cathoic circles
LOL!!! Maother Angelica has JESUS on her side!!!
WOW....Hven;t watched her in years.....will try harder to see her!!
From what I understand she is like a lot of others who have had strokes, she can’t communicate but she’s there and she can pray.
Thank you for posting - that was news to me.
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