EDITORIAL: Religious liberty in the crosshairs

Aug 23, 2015, Colorado Springs Gazette

The temporary reprieve came a month after the 10th Circuit ruled the nuns have no choice but to provide contraceptive coverage to employees who want it. Friday’s decision lifts the mandate until the Supreme Court of the United States decides whether to hear an appeal filed on behalf of the sisters by the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty, a nonprofit firm that has defended the religious liberties of Buddhists, Christians, Hindus, Jews, Muslims, Native Americans, Sikhs and Zoroastrians.

If the court agrees to hear the case, a decision expected this fall, suspension of the mandate will remain until its final ruling.

“The federal government doesn’t need the Little Sisters or any other ministry to help it distribute abortion-inducing drugs and other contraceptives,” said Mark Rienzi, senior counsel of the Becket Fund. “Yet it not only insists on forcing them to participate in the delivery, it argues that their beliefs against participating are wrong and that government officials and judges can tell the Little Sisters what Catholic theology really requires. That’s wrong, and it’s dangerous.”