Fort Worth, Dallas Dioceses Sue Over Contraception

43 churches, schools and hospitals file lawsuits Monday

The dioceses of Dallas and Fort Worth are among dozens of Catholic institutions that have filed federal lawsuits challenging the Obama administration over contraception.

Forty-three churches, schools, hospitals and other institutions filed the lawsuits Monday.

The suits argue that Obama's mandate violates religious beliefs by providing and paying for abortion-inducing drugs, sterilization and contraception.

Defendants include U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, Labor Secretary Hilda Solis and Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner.

The White House has said that organizations affiliated with churches would be exempt from the rule requiring employers to provide contraception as part of their health coverage. But the suits contend the language is too narrow.

Similar suits were filed by the University of Notre Dame and the archdioceses of Washington and Michigan.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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