Today’s Supreme Court decision makes it clear that the government must back off and allow people the freedom to practice their faith as they wish, without fear of draconian fines.  The Court agreed that government must find a way to reach its goals on contraceptive and abortifacient coverage, without coercing involvement of the nuns or other religious charities and educational institutions. The unanimous decision portends a huge win for religious liberty.

Maureen Ferguson
Senior Policy Advisor with The Catholic Association


In a move welcomed by all those who cherish religious liberty, the Supreme Court has unanimously decided to send back to the lower courts the case of The Little Sisters of the Poor.  The fines that threatened the Little Sisters with the end of their work caring for the poor elderly will not be imposed. Instead, the government will have to find a way to fulfill their mission— massively increase access to contraception, including abortifacient drugs–while respecting the deeply held religious beliefs of these good women and not “hijacking” their insurance plans.

Dr. Grazie Pozo Christie
Advisory Board Member with The Catholic Association


Today the Supreme Court made it clear that the government still has not done enough to accommodate the conscience rights of the Little Sisters, whose plan they have tried to hijack for things like abortion pills. For now, this is an interim win for the nuns, who just want to get back to their work caring for the poor without interference from government bureaucrats.

Ashley McGuire
Senior Fellow with The Catholic Association