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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: November 20, 2012
Contact: Leslie Palma
347-286-7277
STATEN ISLAND, NY – Father Frank Pavone, National Director of Priests for Life, commented today about divergent court rulings in suits challenging the HHS mandate.
On Friday, Nov. 16, a federal judge in Washington, D.C., granted a temporary injunction in a suit brought by Tyndale House Publishers. The judge ruled that the mandate “substantially burdens” the Bible publisher’s right to exercise its religious freedom by imposing financial penalties for failing to offer birth control and emergency contraception coverage to its employees.
“We are, of course, gratified by this injunction, and in our own lawsuit, maintain that we at Priests for Life are similarly burdened by the unjust HHS mandate,” Fr. Pavone noted.
In regard to yesterday’s ruling by a federal judge in Oklahoma City who said that Hobby Lobby Stores must provide insurance coverage for morning-after and week-after abortifacients, Fr. Pavone said.
“These Christian owners of the arts and crafts business have said they will not pay for abortifacient drugs. We stand with them in defiance of this violation of their rights.”
“Actually, with so many lawsuits filed against the HHS mandate, we expect divergent rulings in different courts. Ultimately, this will raise the likelihood that the Supreme Court will take up the issue, which it should,” Fr. Pavone explained.
Father Pavone said he remains confident that Priests for Life will prevail with its lawsuit, which was filed in February and was the fourth one to be launched.
“As I’ve said, this administration is on a collision course with those who treasure religious liberty. Now that the lawsuits can no longer be seen as campaign issues, they will be judged on their merit. And merit is on our side.”
Father Pavone issued an invitation for all American citizens to express their solidarity with Priests for Life by signing the “Citizens’ Amicus Brief” at www.priestsforlife.org/hhsmandate/amicus-brief.aspx.”
Priests for Life is the nation’s largest Catholic pro-life organization dedicated to ending abortion and euthanasia. For more information, visit www.priestsforlife.org.
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