Ave Maria University has joined Belmont Abbey College and the Eternal Word Television Network in the rising tide of lawsuits against the Obama administration’s attempt to force contraception, sterilization, and abortion drugs into virtually every health insurance policy in America.
Ave Maria President Jim Towey, former head of the Bush administration’s Office of Faith-Based & Community Initiatives, said, “As an American Catholic, I am in disbelief that I have to choose between being a good Catholic and a good citizen. I will not, and the University will not, accept this false choice.”
Towey said that the university will not allow any President “to force conformance to his or her religious or secular orthodoxy through executive action.”
The Becket Fund for Religious Liberty filed the suit in federal court in Florida.
“The federal mandate puts Ave Maria in a terrible bind,” said Kyle Duncan, General Counsel for the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty, which filed suit this morning on behalf of the University. “Either it betrays its faith and covers the drugs, or else it ends employee health benefits and pays hundreds of thousands in annual fines.”
Towey said, he is prepared to discontinue the university’s health plan and pay the $2,000 per employee, per year fine rather than comply with an “unjust, immoral” mandate.
You can read President Towey’s entire statement by clicking here.
By Matthew Archbold
Matthew Archbold is a contributing writer to Campus Notes and to National Catholic Register, as well as the co-founder of the popular website, Creative Minority Report.
IMPORTANT NOTICE TO OUR READERS
Catholic Exchange is free—but it is not free to produce. Advertising revenue covers only a fraction of the cost to generate reliably Catholic commentary and news, inspiring videos, a selection of the best Catholic blogs, and daily meditations and prayers.
To give us the strength and stability we need, Catholic Exchange is turning to you—our loyal reader—and asking you to become a monthly contributor.
Whether you can give $5 or $25, $50 or $100 each month, please leave something behind so we can continue—and strengthen—this important apostolate.
We are deeply grateful for one-time gifts, but we encourage you to choose “Monthly” on the drop-down menu. Your support will ensure that Catholic Exchange will be here during this most critical moment for the Church and America.
