Last week, the Little Sisters of the Poor in Denver were being harassed by the Department of Justice regarding their refusal to submit to the contraceptive coverage as mandated in the new federal healthcare law, The Affordable Care Act. Though religious organizations are to be accommodated, the Department of Justice is insisting the Sisters sign a waiver which effectively allows a third party to administer the contraceptive provisions; however, it still violates the principles of the charity. The Department of Justice is seeking to use the IRS to fine the charity $3.5 million, which would be money taken from the elderly poor the Sisters have served for over 175 years.
A reprieve came on January 3 from Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor, who provided a temporary injunction for the Little Sisters.
“We are grateful for the decision of Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor granting us a temporary injunction protecting us from the HHS contraceptive mandate,” said the Sisters in a statement on their website. “We hope and pray that we will receive a favorable outcome in order to continue to serve the elderly of all faiths with the same community support and religious freedom that we have always appreciated.”
It is yet to be seen what will take place, but the Supreme Court will be hearing several cases regarding Obamacare this summer.