EWTN Press Release on HHS Mandate Revisions

EWTN Statement On Today’s HHS Mandate Revisions

Irondale, AL (EWTN) – The following is a statement by Michael P. Warsaw, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of EWTN Global Catholic Network on the October 6th announcement of revised rules for the HHS Mandate:

“For more than five years, the HHS contraception mandate has forced Americans to violate their deeply held moral and ethical principles, without regard for the Constitution's guarantee of religious liberty. EWTN filed a lawsuit against the government in February 2012, just days after the mandate rules were first published and we have have continued to fight for justice alongside many courageous believers. We are encouraged by today’s announcement. 

“Together with our legal team, we are carefully considering the exemptions announced today and the impact this may have on our legal challenge to the mandate, but we are optimistic that this news will prove to be a step toward victory for the fundamental freedoms of many Americans.  

“I invite Catholics, and all people of faith, to join me in continued prayer for our nation, for its leaders, and for the protection of liberty in the United States, and around the world.”

EWTN Global Catholic Network, in its 36th year, is the largest religious media network in the world. EWTN’s 11 TV channels are broadcast in multiple languages 24 hours a day, seven days a week to over 268 million television households in more than 145 countries and territories. EWTN platforms also include radio services transmitted through SIRIUS/XM, iHeart Radio, and over 500 domestic and international AM & FM radio affiliates; a worldwide shortwave radio service; the largest Catholic website in the U.S.; electronic and print news services, including Catholic News Agency, “The National Catholic Register” newspaper, and several global news wire services; as well as EWTN Publishing, its book publishing division. 

EWTN Press Release: EWTN Challenges HHS Mandate in Court

EWTN to Make its Case in HHS Mandate Challenge

11th Circuit Court of Appeals to Hear Oral Arguments

Irondale, AL (EWTN) – The 11^th Circuit Court of Appeals in Atlanta will hear oral arguments at 9:00 a.m. Eastern on Wednesday, February 4, 2015 in the legal challenge brought by EWTN Global Catholic Network against the government’s HHS contraceptive services mandate.

The Court of Appeals granted a temporary injunction on June 30, 2014 preventing the government from enforcing the mandate against EWTN.  The injunction came after US District Court Judge Callie Granade of Mobile declined to protect EWTN from the mandate and its fines. The appeals court issued a twenty-nine page order just hours after the U.S. Supreme Court decision in the Hobby Lobby case. The injunction allowed EWTN to continue its court challenge of the mandate without incurring the penalties of $35,000 per day that would have begun on July 1, 2014.

“EWTN looks forward to being able to make our case against the government’s contraceptive services mandate,” said EWTN Chairman & Chief Executive Officer Michael P. Warsaw. “As we have said repeatedly throughout this process, contraception, abortion-inducing drugs and voluntary sterilization are not health care and the government should not force EWTN to provide them as part of our employer-sponsored health plan.
“In the Hobby Lobby case, the Supreme Court made it clear that the government has an obligation to use the least restrictive means of accomplishing its goals,” continued Warsaw.  “In our own case, EWTN has raised similar arguments with regard to the government’s ‘accommodation’ scheme for faith-based organizations.

“In the Hobby Lobby case, the Supreme Court made it clear that the government has an obligation to use the least restrictive means of accomplishing its goals,” continued Warsaw.  “In our own case, EWTN has raised similar arguments with regard to the government’s ‘accommodation’ scheme for faith-based organizations. The government should not be allowed to hijack EWTN’s health plan for its own purposes. We are confident that the 11^th Circuit Court of Appeals will recognize that the government should not be able to force us to act contrary to our beliefs.” 



EWTN Global Catholic Network, in its 34th year, is available in over 230 million television households in more than 140 countries and territories. With its direct broadcast satellite television and radio services, AM & FM radio networks, worldwide short-wave radio station, Internet website www.ewtn.com, electronic and print news services, and publishing arm, EWTN is the largest religious media network in the world.

BREAKING: EWTN Granted Relief in HHS Mandate Case

EWTN Granted Injunctive Relief
In HHS Mandate Case

Court of Appeals Acts Following
Supreme Court Hobby Lobby Decision

Irondale, AL – The 11^th Circuit Court of Appeals in Atlanta has granted the EWTN Global Catholic Network an injunction preventing the government from enforcing the HHS contraceptive services mandate against the Network. The appeals court released its twenty-nine page order just hours after the U.S. Supreme Court decision in the Hobby Lobby case. The injunction allows EWTN to continue its court challenge of the mandate without incurring the fines of $35,000 per day that would have begun on July 1.

“This has been a very good day for religious liberty in America,” said EWTN Chairman & Chief Executive Officer Michael P. Warsaw. “The Supreme Court decision in the Hobby Lobby case was a great affirmation of the constitutional right to freedom of religious expression. While the Hobby Lobby decision did not directly resolve EWTN’s case, this afternoon’s injunction from the appellate court allows us to press forward without facing the government’s crushing fines.

“As we have said repeatedly, contraception, abortion-inducing drugs and voluntary sterilization are not health care and the government should not force EWTN to provide them as part of our employer-sponsored health plan.

“The Hobby Lobby decision recognizes that business owners don’t give up their religious freedom when they start a business,” continued Warsaw. “The fact that the Supreme Court believes that the government has an obligation to use the least restrictive means of accomplishing its goals is very helpful to the EWTN case. EWTN has raised similar arguments with regard to the government’s ‘accommodation’ scheme for faith-based organizations. We are both relieved and encouraged by the action taken by the courts today and look forward to making our case before the 11^th Circuit Court of Appeals in the coming months.”

EWTN Global Catholic Network, in its 33^rd year, is available in over 230 million television households in more than 140 countries and territories. With its direct broadcast satellite television and radio services, AM & FM radio networks, worldwide short-wave radio station, Internet website www.ewtn.com, electronic and print news services, and publishing arm, EWTN is the largest religious media network in the world.