In this 2016 file photo, Sister Loraine Marie Maguire, mother provincial of the Denver-based Little Sisters of the Poor, speaks to the media outside the U.S. Supreme Court in Washington. (CNS photo/Joshua Roberts, Reuters)
Washington, D.C. Newsroom, Dec 15, 2025 / 18:06 pm (CNA).
The 14-year legal battle against federal contraceptive mandates will continue, with Little Sisters of the Poor and the federal government seeking to reinstate moral and religious exemptions that were established in 2017.
Little Sisters of the Poor have already won religious freedom cases on this subject twice at the Supreme Court level. The high court ruled in 2016 that the federal government must protect religious freedoms for those who oppose the contraceptives and in 2020 ruled that the federal government had the legal authority to adopt the broad exemptions established in 2017.
Those exemptions fully covered employers that had religious or moral objections to providing the contraceptives, some of which can be abortifacient. Under the rules, those employers were not required to include any contraceptive coverage in their insurance plans for employees.
In spite of the prior Supreme Court wins, a federal court in August 2025 struck down the 2017 exemptions on grounds that the Supreme Court had not yet ruled on.
Because the Supreme Court left some questions open, the attorneys general in two states that disapprove of the exemptions — Pennsylvania and New Jersey — continued their legal battle on different grounds. Those legal arguments allege that the adoption of the rules did not comply with the Administrative Procedure Act (APA), which the Supreme Court had not ruled on.
In the August ruling, Judge Wendy Beetlestone found that the rules did not comply with the APA, ruling instead that the rules are arbitrary and capricious.
“The agencies’ actions in promulgating the rule were arbitrary and capricious — in that they failed to ‘articulate a satisfactory explanation for [their] action[s] including a ‘rational connection between the facts found and the choices made,’” Beetlestone wrote in her opinion.
Little Sisters of the Poor are represented by the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty, whose lawyers say the appellate court should overturn that decision and bring the legal dispute to an end.
“The 14-year legal crusade against the Little Sisters has been needless, grotesque, and un-American,” Mark Rienzi, president of Becket and lead attorney for the sisters, said in a statement.
“The states have no business trying to take away the Little Sisters’ federal civil rights. The 3rd Circuit should toss the states’ lawsuit into the dustbin of history and uphold the protection the Little Sisters already won at the Supreme Court … twice,” he said.
In the appeal, the lawyers cite the legal precedent from the 2016 and 2020 cases that required religious exemptions and upheld the rules. They warn that the August 2025 ruling could create a “constitutional conflict” because the original mandate cannot legally be reimposed.
“The appellee states maintain that state governments somehow have an interest in forcing the federal government to force religious objectors to comply with the federal contraceptive mandate — even though the federal government need not have any contraceptive mandate at all, and even though the states themselves have chosen not to have such mandates of their own,” the lawsuit notes.
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Denver Newsroom, Jan 27, 2022 / 15:11 pm (CNA).
Loyola University Chicago will host a livestream conversation between Pope Francis and college students from around the world next month as part of the Catholic Church’s prep… […]
Knights of Columbus Supreme Knight Patrick Kelly speaks with EWTN News President and COO Montse Alvarado on Thursday, July 11, 2024, regarding the organization’s decision to cover mosaics by the accused abuser Father Marko Rupnik in chapels in Washington, D.C., and Connecticut. / Credit: EWTN News
Rome Newsroom, Jul 11, 2024 / 12:00 pm (CNA).
The Knights of Columbus announced Thursday they will cover mosaics by the accused abuser Father Marko Rupnik in Washington, D.C., and Connecticut, a dramatic move that represents the strongest public stand yet by a major Catholic organization regarding the former Jesuit’s embattled art.
The 2.1-million-member lay Catholic fraternal order said July 11 it would use fabric to cover the floor-to-ceiling mosaics in the two chapels of the St. John Paul II National Shrine in Washington and in the chapel at the Knights’ headquarters in New Haven, Connecticut — at least until the completion of a formal Vatican investigation into the Slovenian priest’s alleged abuse.
Patrick Kelly, Supreme Knight of the Knights of Columbus, told EWTN News Thursday the opaque material would be installed “very soon” but gave no firm timetable. The Knights said in a statement released Thursday afternoon that the artwork may later be more permanently hidden with a plaster covering after the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith issues its ruling on Rupnik.
The decision by the Knights to cover the sprawling works, which envelop both spaces, was made at the end of a comprehensive, confidential review process that included consultations with sexual abuse victims and those who minister to them, art historians, pilgrims to the shrine, bishops, and moral theologians.
“The Knights of Columbus have decided to cover these mosaics because our first concern must be for victims of sexual abuse, who have already suffered immensely in the Church, and who may be further injured by the ongoing display of the mosaics at the shrine,” Kelly said in the statement.
“While opinions varied among those consulted,” he said, “there was a strong consensus to prioritize the needs of victims, especially because the allegations are current, unresolved, and horrific.”
Kelly reiterated that point in his interview with EWTN News.
“Our decision process really came down to multiple factors. But the No. 1 factor was compassion for victims,” Kelly said. “We needed to prioritize victims over anything, any material thing. So that was our primary consideration.”
The first segment of Kelly’s interview with EWTN News will air on “EWTN News Nightly” Thursday at 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. ET. Additional comments will air on “EWTN News In Depth” on Friday at 8 p.m. ET.
Knights of Columbus Supreme Knight Patrick Kelly speaks with EWTN News President and COO Montse Alvarado on Thursday, July 11, 2024, regarding the organization’s decision to cover mosaics by the accused abuser Father Marko Rupnik in chapels in Washington, D.C., and Connecticut. Credit: EWTN News
Once a renowned artist Rupnik, whose mosaics are featured in hundreds of Catholic shrines, churches, and chapels around the world, was expelled from the Jesuits in June 2023.
His expulsion followed a long review of what the society called “highly credible” accusations of serial spiritual, psychological, and sexual abuse of as many as 30 religious sisters by the priest spanning decades. Some women allege Rupnik’s abuse sometimes happened as part of the process of creating his art at the Centro Aletti, an art school he founded in Rome.
The Vatican announced in late October 2023 that Pope Francis had waived the statute of limitations in the Rupnik case, allowing the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith to do a canonical investigation into the abuse allegations.
There has been no further communication from the Vatican about the inquiry, and it is unclear whether Rupnik may still be living in Rome despite having been given priestly faculties in a diocese of his home country of Slovenia last year.
Growing public outcry
What to do with Rupnik’s once widely-praised works, colorful mosaics characterized by grand, flowing figures and large eyes, has proven to be a divisive question in the wake of the numerous allegations against him, which first came to public attention in December 2022.
While some want to await Vatican judgment before dismantling and replacing Rupnik’s works, much of it made in collaboration with other artists of the Centro Aletti — a Rupnik-founded art school and theological center in Rome — the public outcry for the removal of his art has intensified.
The Knights also announced several immediate changes that would be enacted at the shrine in solidarity with abuse victims, including providing educational materials about the mosaics, making clear that their display during the consultation process “was not intended to ignore, deny, or diminish the allegations of abuse.”
Every Mass at the St. John Paul II National Shrine will now also include a prayer of the faithful for victims of sexual abuse, and saints with connections to abuse victims, such as St. Josephine Bakhita, will be specially commemorated.
The group said it became aware of the allegations against Rupnik in December 2022 — and noted that the artist, while under investigation, remains a priest in good standing in the Diocese of Koper, Slovenia.
“This decision is rooted in a foundational purpose of the Knights of Columbus, which is to protect families, especially women and children, and those who are vulnerable and voiceless,” Kelly said in the July 11 statement.
The “Redemptor Hominis” chapel of the National Shrine of St John Paul II in Washington, DC, is decorated with mosaics by Fatherr Marko Rupnik. Credit: Lawrence OP|Flickr|CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
The St. John Paul II National Shrine is a pastoral initiative of the Knights of Columbus, established in 2011, and designated a national shrine by the U.S. Catholic bishops in 2014.
Rupnik’s mosaics were installed at the shrine in 2015. The Holy Family Chapel at the Knights’ headquarters has featured Rupnik’s art since 2005.
Highlighting the John Paul II shrine’s mission of evangelization, the supreme knight said, “the art we sponsor must therefore serve as a stepping stone — not a stumbling block — to faith in Jesus Christ and his Church.”
Rupnik has not made any statements since the allegations came to light.
An eye on Lourdes
The Knights’ move to conceal the mosaics follows just a week after the bishop of Lourdes, France, said that despite his personal feelings that Rupnik’s artwork at the renowned Marian shrine there should be removed, he has decided to wait to make a final decision due to “strong opposition on the part of some.”
After forming a special commission in May 2023, Bishop Jean-Marc Micas of Tarbes announced July 2 that more time was needed “to discern what should be done” about Rupnik’s mosaics at the Marian apparition site, because his belief that they should be torn down “would not be sufficiently understood” and “would add even more division and violence” at this time.
As a “first step,” the French bishop said he had decided the mosaics will no longer be lit up at night during the shrine’s nightly candlelight rosary processions.
In his interview with EWTN News, Kelly said the Lourdes bishop’s intent to make a decision of some kind this spring galvanized the Knights to act at this time.
In his July 11 statement, Kelly thanked the Lourdes bishop for his “thoughtful decision” and said it “both informed and confirmed us in our own decision-making. Shrines are places of healing, prayer, and reconciliation. They should not cause victims further suffering.”
Emphasizing the importance of discernment based on mission and context, the supreme knight said: “Every situation is different. In the United States, Catholics continue to suffer in a unique way from the revelations of sexual abuse and, at times, from the response of the Church. It is clear to us that, as a national shrine, our decision must respect this country’s special need for healing.”
The Knights of Columbus was founded in New Haven, Connecticut, in 1882 by Blessed Michael McGivney, a parish priest. Dedicated to the advancement of the group’s key principles — charity, unity, fraternity, and patriotism — its members in 2022 provided 50 million service hours and nearly $185 million to charitable causes in their communities.
National Catholic Register Editor-in-Chief Shannon Mullen contributed to this story.
Fathers Flaviano “Flavie” Villanueva (left) and Albert Alejo speak to the media before appearing for court on Feb. 11, 2021, in Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines. / Credit: Ezra Acayan/Getty Images
Not to mention that an Administration Agency lacks the authority to make new Law, and I suppose since the Mandate was ruled to be a “tax”, new Tax Law that mandates the purchasing of contraception coverage, which certainly is not necessary or proper.
P.S. No doubt, such a mandate would be a violation of both Religious Liberty , and thus The First Amendment, and excessive fines, and thus The Eighth Amendment!
If you’re interested in the topic of why the Church is opposed to contraception, you might consider the book Sexual Wisdom by Richard Wetzel, MD or New Perspectives on Contraception by Donald DeMarco, PhD. Both can be obtained over at onemoresould.com. Or pretty much anything by Janet Smith, PhD, on the subject.
.
A partial library of Father Anthony Zimmerman, SVD (who passed away some time ago) can be found over at lifeissues.net, Contraception if Creeping Death being a very good article, IMO
.
DeaconEP and Mrs. Hess – I think many people don’t understand why the Little Sisters are waging this battle. Of course, like Piers Morgan, they probably view them (the Sisters) as extremists.
I gave you some resources to consider. If you choose too. And if you care to spread them on to others who wonder by the Church is opposed to contraception, that would be nice.
.
Mrs. Hess – I believe you miss my point. I think most people, including many (most?) Catholics don’t understand the Church’s opposition to contraception. Okay, we are told some contraceptives may be abortifacients. Opposition to abortion people understand. Contraception, not so much.
Cleo: Because love between a man and a woman in marriage is intended to be faithful (exclusive), forever and FRUITFUL. Anything that interferes with these is CONTRARY to marriage. For example, adultery violates the pledge to be FAITHFUL; divorce and remarriage violates the promise that the marriage be FOREVER; contraception violates the promise that the marital union be open to being FRUITFUL. This is ŵhat the basic MEANING of marriage entails. This is what Catholics are called to believe about sacramental marriage. The Little Sisters are Catholic and strive to live their lives individually and collectively as faithful Catholics. They don’t want the government to force them to live their lives contrary to their Catholic faith. This is what Obama and the very un-Catholic Biden tried to shove down their throats.
“I believe you miss my point. I think most people, including many (most?) Catholics don’t understand the Church’s opposition to contraception.”
,
As noted above, you’ve been given resources to help understand the issue.
.
Have a good week-end
DeaconEP above (2:27 a.m.) – You’re not hearing what I’m saying.
It’s easy for people to dismiss the Little Sisters’ opposition to contraception since presumably it doesn’t affect them. Opposition to abortion and lack of religious freedom, people understand. But opposition to contraception? That’s a bridge too far.
And BTW, many (most?) people, including many (again, most?) Catholics, think contraception is the antidote to abortion.
Cleo: Most Catholics (as the vast majority of people in general) are simply ignorant about the purpose of sexuality. Admittedly, when people are practical atheists it’s even more likely that this purpose would elude them.
Why did Biden issue a fatwa against the Little Sisters of the Poor? I thought Biden was a faithful Catholic. Maybe not.
Assuming you’re being facetious, knowing the former president’s stance on abortion on demand during his presidency.
Why are the Little Sisters opposed to contraception anyway? Just askin’.
Because they’re faithful to the Magisterium of the Catholic faiyh and from what you’ve written we can safely conclude that you are not.
Do you know that the “Pill’s” chemicals are in the water supply?
Not to mention that an Administration Agency lacks the authority to make new Law, and I suppose since the Mandate was ruled to be a “tax”, new Tax Law that mandates the purchasing of contraception coverage, which certainly is not necessary or proper.
P.S. No doubt, such a mandate would be a violation of both Religious Liberty , and thus The First Amendment, and excessive fines, and thus The Eighth Amendment!
DeaconEP above (10:57 a.m.) – Don’t jump to conclusions.
Cleo: Then go ahead and answer the question you posed:”Why are the Little Sisters opposed to contraception anyway?”
If you’re interested in the topic of why the Church is opposed to contraception, you might consider the book Sexual Wisdom by Richard Wetzel, MD or New Perspectives on Contraception by Donald DeMarco, PhD. Both can be obtained over at onemoresould.com. Or pretty much anything by Janet Smith, PhD, on the subject.
.
A partial library of Father Anthony Zimmerman, SVD (who passed away some time ago) can be found over at lifeissues.net, Contraception if Creeping Death being a very good article, IMO
.
DeaconEP and Mrs. Hess – I think many people don’t understand why the Little Sisters are waging this battle. Of course, like Piers Morgan, they probably view them (the Sisters) as extremists.
I gave you some resources to consider. If you choose too. And if you care to spread them on to others who wonder by the Church is opposed to contraception, that would be nice.
.
Mrs. Hess – I believe you miss my point. I think most people, including many (most?) Catholics don’t understand the Church’s opposition to contraception. Okay, we are told some contraceptives may be abortifacients. Opposition to abortion people understand. Contraception, not so much.
Cleo: Because love between a man and a woman in marriage is intended to be faithful (exclusive), forever and FRUITFUL. Anything that interferes with these is CONTRARY to marriage. For example, adultery violates the pledge to be FAITHFUL; divorce and remarriage violates the promise that the marriage be FOREVER; contraception violates the promise that the marital union be open to being FRUITFUL. This is ŵhat the basic MEANING of marriage entails. This is what Catholics are called to believe about sacramental marriage. The Little Sisters are Catholic and strive to live their lives individually and collectively as faithful Catholics. They don’t want the government to force them to live their lives contrary to their Catholic faith. This is what Obama and the very un-Catholic Biden tried to shove down their throats.
“I believe you miss my point. I think most people, including many (most?) Catholics don’t understand the Church’s opposition to contraception.”
,
As noted above, you’ve been given resources to help understand the issue.
.
Have a good week-end
DeaconEP above (2:27 a.m.) – You’re not hearing what I’m saying.
It’s easy for people to dismiss the Little Sisters’ opposition to contraception since presumably it doesn’t affect them. Opposition to abortion and lack of religious freedom, people understand. But opposition to contraception? That’s a bridge too far.
And BTW, many (most?) people, including many (again, most?) Catholics, think contraception is the antidote to abortion.
Cleo: Most Catholics (as the vast majority of people in general) are simply ignorant about the purpose of sexuality. Admittedly, when people are practical atheists it’s even more likely that this purpose would elude them.
Can you/anyone control yourself or not? Can you/anyone take up your cross?
The bishops were correct in the 60s in their predictions on what would happen with birth control on demand, to the family and society in general.
DeaconEP above (4:29 p.m.) – No argument from me.