Priests for Life Court Case

[Gabriela]

This just in from Fr. Frank Pavone's blog:

April 12, 2016

Pro-Lifer,

Recently the Supreme Court asked Priests for Life and the other petitioners in Zubik vs. Burwell for additional information for our case and a brief was prepared for the Court’s review.  See my press release below about this, followed by two related columns I wrote recently for FoxNews.com and Breitbart.com.

Priests for Life tells Court: Yes, there is a Less Restrictive Means          

WASHINGTON, DC -- Fr. Frank Pavone, National Director of Priests for Life, whose case, Priests for Life vs. HHS, is one of the seven consolidated cases at the Supreme Court in Zubik vs. Burwell, stated today that he has responded to the question that the Supreme Court presented to the petitioners recently, trying to find a way to satisfy their religious objections to the HHS mandate.

In an unusual move, the Court asked petitioners recently for more documentation that might map out the way to a solution to the present controversy. On the one hand, the government wants the employees of Priests for Life and the other organizations to have insurance coverage for abortion-inducing drugs and contraceptives. On the other hand, Priests for Life and the other groups want no part of providing it.

"By asking us to describe how things should be different than what the mandate currently requires, the Court is showing that it recognizes that the believer is the only one qualified to draw the line between acceptable and unacceptable behavior. As the Supreme Court already said in Hobby Lobby and other cases, it is never the role of the government or the Court to substitute its own judgment for that of the believer.

"Also, the fact that the Court is asking us to describe a better solution that would truly accommodate our religious beliefs indicates that it is looking for a 'less restrictive' means for the government to pursue its objectives. The existence of a 'less restrictive' means, which we believe we have identified in this new brief, leads us to victory in this case. It proves our point that the government hasn't passed the test that the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) requires," Fr. Pavone explained.

The brief that has been prepared as a collaborative effort of all the petitioners and their attorneys will be filed with the Court tomorrow, simultaneous with a brief from the government on the same question. Then, later in the month, each side will be able to respond to one another's briefs.

"The bottom line is this," Fr. Pavone stated. "We have told the Court that we simply cannot take any actions whatsoever to authorize, facilitate, or in any way be part of the provision of contraceptives and abortion-inducing drugs. This case is not about what others do; rather, it is about what we do. We cannot ever be the 'gateway' for the provision of these life-denying, life-destroying drugs. We have drawn that line clearly for the court. If the government or the insurance companies insist on pursuing the destructive path of abortion and contraception, they already have the means to do it without our involvement. Our message to the government is simple: leave us out of it, and stop forcing us to choose between following the law and following our faith. Every believer in America should be free to do both at the same time."

Please go to the links below, read the articles, share with others, and then also comment on them to help us spread the pro-life message and counter what our opponents may say.

A Less Restrictive Means: Priests for Life and others respond to Supreme Court in Zubik vs. Burwell (FoxNews.com, April 12, 2016)

For over four years now, the Obama administration, through its HHS mandate, has been telling non-profit religious groups across the nation that we must participate in the distribution of abortion-causing drugs and devices to our employees.  While it has changed the ways by which we are supposed to take part in this scheme, it has remained unyielding in its demand – take part or else...MORE

Brief in Zubik v. Burwell Finds ObamaCare HHS Mandate ‘Bizarre and Unprecedented’ (Breitbart.com, April 11, 2016)

Then-Speaker of the House Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) once infamously said of the Affordable Care Act, a.k.a. ObamaCare, “But we have to pass the bill so that you can find out what is in it away from the fog of the controversy.”  Well, the “fog of the controversy” lifted in 2010 when the President’s bill transforming our health care system was pushed through Congress and signed into law. What we’ve had since is a storm of outrage…MORE

Blessings,

 

Fr. Frank Pavone

P.S.  Please continue to pray for our victory in the Supreme Court!  And watch my short reflections explaining the basic facts and arguments of our case. Videos will be posted on a regular basis. See IStandWithPFL.com/MandateMinutes.

 

 

Priests for Life

PO Box 141172

Staten Island, NY 10314

Phone: 888-735-3448

718-980-4400

Fax: 718-980-6515

Email: mail@priestsforlife.org

www.priestsforlife.org

 

Subscribe to The Father Frank Blog by Email

 

Do you know others who may be interested in our work? Please refer them to us.

Please, remember to support our work at PriestsForLife.org/donate.

Please support 

We offer various options for you to receive different emails from the different branches of our ministry. See how you can vary your preferences or unsubscribe. Remember, we want to keep you in the loop!

[DominicanHeart]

Oye vey.  It was only a matter of time. First the Little Sisters of the Poor and now them. 

[elizabeth09]

Prayers for sure for those priests.