Feb 21, 2012 / 10:35 am
Ave Maria University has filed a lawsuit seeking relief from the federal rule forcing it to fund contraception, sterilization, and abortion-causing drugs in employee health care plans.
“It is a sad day when an American citizen or organization has no choice but to sue its own government in order to exercise religious liberty rights guaranteed by our nation’s Constitution,” said Ave Maria President Jim Towey, speaking to reporters on a Feb. 21 conference call.
“As an American Catholic, I am in disbelief that I have to choose between being a good Catholic and a good citizen,” said Towey, who previously served as legal counsel to Mother Teresa and led the White House's Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives from 2002 to 2006.
“I will not, and the university will not, accept this false choice. The federal government has no right to coerce the university into funding contraceptive services that include abortion-inducing drugs and sterilization, in the health plan we offer our employees.”