Archdiocese of Washington to Make Oral Arguments on Legal Challenge to the HHS Mandate to the Supreme Court of the United States

January 29, 2016

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Supreme Court of the United States has announced that it will hear oral arguments on March 23, 2016, in the legal challenges to the HHS mandate, which includes the challenge brought by the Archdiocese of Washington and affiliated entities. More than 40 amicus briefs from such parties the National Jewish Commission on Law and Public Affairs, the International Conference of Evangelical Chaplain Endorsers, the Breast Cancer Prevention Institute and the Association of American Physicians & Surgeons, were also filed in support of the legal challenge.

A particular concern for the archdiocese – as well as many of the groups that filed amicus briefs in support of its position – is the government’s treatment of Catholic educational and other charitable ministries as if they are somehow less religious than houses of worship, and therefore less deserving of the right to operate in accord with the Church’s teachings.

The archdiocese looks forward to the opportunity to present its arguments and remains confident that the Court will vindicate its religious freedom, and the freedom of religious ministries seeking to practice their faith freely, as guaranteed under the law.

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The Archdiocese of Washington is home to over 620,000 Catholics living in Washington, DC, and five Maryland counties: Calvert, Charles, Montgomery, Prince George’s and St. Mary’s.

CONTACT:
Chieko Noguchi
301-853-4516
[email protected]