The case of the Little Sisters of the Poor, a Roman Catholic charity compelled under Obamacare’s “birth control mandate” to provide employee health insurance coverage for abortifacient birth control has taken a disappointing turn.
As we’ve previously reported, the Trump administration’s crucial religious exemption for this aspect of the Affordable Care Act appeared to be a lifeline to organizations like the Little Sisters who sincerely object to hormonal birth control, sterilization, and abortion due to their God-given convictions against taking an innocent human life, even as early as conception in the womb.
Sadly, however, a federal appellate court has ruled in the case of California v. Little Sisters of the Poor, that a preliminary multi-state injunction issued by a U.S. District judge in San Francisco against Trump’s religious exemption provided to religious groups could continue.
The Epoch Times reports:
The Little Sisters of the Poor, a religious order and charity that operates facilities nationwide, describes itself on its website as “an international congregation of Roman Catholic women … founded in 1839 by Saint Jeanne Jugan … [that] serve the elderly poor in over 30 countries around the world. … [Offering] the neediest elderly of every race and religion a home … ”
The injunction bars enforcement of final rules by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) in California and the other 12 states involved in the lawsuit plus the District of Columbia that exempt employers with religious and moral objections from the Affordable Care Act’s requirement that group health plans cover contraceptive care.
In July, the 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals also ruled against the Little Sisters, which, among other organizations, had received a religious exemption from the HHS mandate, The National Catholic Register reported.
“The Little Sisters never wanted this fight and have spent eight years trying to focus on caring for the elderly poor instead of fighting senseless legal battles. The states in these lawsuits should leave the nuns alone,” said Maria Montserrat Alvarado, vice president and executive director of Becket, the religious liberty legal aid firm that represents the Little Sisters, according to the Times.
Shortly after the appellate court’s October 22 ruling, Alvarado implored the Supreme Court to review the appeals court decision. “It must step in to fix the mess and secure #religiousfreedom for the Little Sisters,” she said. “Enough is enough.”
The Ninth Circuit decision joins a Third Circuit ruling against the Little Sisters from July 12. We *and the U.S. Solicitor General* have asked #SCOTUS to review that decision. It must step in to fix the mess and secure #religiousfreedom for the Little Sisters. Enough is enough. pic.twitter.com/btgtwsonFc
— María Montserrat Alvarado (@Mmontsealvarado) October 22, 2019
It is the realization of the leftist’s dream to use the power of the State to essentially force nuns to pay for abortifacient birth control. It’s an expression of the ultimate authority and power they wish to wield over every church and every citizen, eerily reminiscent of the pinch of incense and worship Caesar demanded of our early Christian ancestors.
The leftists aren’t satisfied with the mere separation of church and state. They want domination of the state over the church. We must meet them at every front to defend our rights to worship the Lord and honor our God-given convictions.
A frightening future awaits us if we fail.
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