Washington D.C., Feb 1, 2013 / 13:06 pm
Eternal Word Television Network said today that the new suggested rule on the federal contraception mandate is likely inadequate to protect its religious liberty.
"We will continue to study this notice with our attorneys, but are highly doubtful it will provide EWTN with any relief from this immoral mandate," said Michael P. Warsaw, president and CEO of EWTN Global Catholic Network.
Last February, EWTN became the first Catholic organization to file a lawsuit challenging the federal contraception mandate on the grounds of religious freedom. That lawsuit is still pending in the U.S. District Court in Birmingham, Ala., and dozens of other Catholic organizations have also filed lawsuits.
On Feb. 1, the federal government issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking indicating its intent to revise the mandate in order to respect the religious freedom of groups that object to it. The mandate requires employers to offer health insurance covering contraception, sterilization and some drugs that can cause early abortions.