Community Corner
Judge Rejects Joliet Diocese Birth Control Suit
The diocese, joined by Catholic Charities and the Springfield diocese, wanted to be exempt from a mandate that it must provide employee insurance that funds birth control and sterilization.
A lawsuit seeking to exempt the Catholic Diocese of Joliet and others from having to comply with a federal law mandating that its employee health insurance cover contraception and sterilization costs has been rejected by a federal judge.
The diocese, which was joined in the suit by the Diocese of Springfield and Catholic Charities in Chicago, Joliet and Springfield, argued that the mandate violated the organizations' 1st Amendment rights guaranteeing religious freedom.
According to a story published by the Catholic Conference of Illlinois, U.S. Judge John Darrow's ruling rejected the organizations' arguments.
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"Darrah stated the plaintiffs have no standing since religious organizations have been granted a 'safe harbor' until Aug. 1, 2013, to implement the required insurance coverage," the story said.
"He also stated that the lawsuit is not ripe for adjudication since the plaintiffs have not yet suffered any harm from the mandate."
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