Exemption from HHS Mandate Reversed for Christian College, Catholic Dioceses

Cardinal Newman Society ^ | 2/13/15 | CNS Staff

[marshmallow]

A Christian college and two Catholic dioceses in western Pennsylvania are again under the yoke of the HHS mandate as a federal court reversed the injunctions previously granted to the institutions by lower courts.

Geneva College in Beaver Falls, Pa., the Diocese of Pittsburgh, the Diocese of Erie, and several Catholic charities under the dioceses had all been granted injunctions from the HHS mandate. But on Wednesday, a panel of judges of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit unanimously ruled to reverse the exemptions.

Judge Marjorie Rendell noted in her opinion that the institutions can take advantage of the "accommodation" to the mandate, which both Geneva College and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops have challenged. Last October, the U.S. bishops submitted official comments noting that, despite the accommodation, the HHS mandate remains a substantial burden on religious freedom.

Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF), which represents Geneva College, issued a statement in response to Wednesday's unfavorable ruling. Senior Counsel Gregory Baylor stated in the organization's press release:

[Darksheare]

Reversed by order of Obama to “punish” those evil “crusaders” for daring to oppose Islam.

[blackdog]

Punish our enemies and submit to our will.

Sound coinkydink?

[9thLife]

FUBO and his “prophet”.

[I want the USA back]

0 hates Christians

[Albion Wilde]

Judge Marjorie Rendell noted in her opinion

Secular liberal Democrat married to "Fast Eddie" Rendell, former governor of PA, who is not a Christian, but is also a lawyer. That about sums it up. Guess the DOJ did some judge-shopping on this case.

[Salvation]

Who is this judge to say?