Obama seeks protection from Church subpoena

President Obama is asking a court to block a subpoena from the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New York that compels him to hand over documents related to the contraception edict issued by his administration.

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WASHINGTON, DC (Catholic Online) - Obama has asked a court to shield him from a subpoena from the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New York, saying that its requirements would be too burdensome to fulfill. Justice department lawyers made their written plea before U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.

The documents filed by the Obama administration also claim that Supreme Court decisions of the past should protect his administration from having to provide the documents, except in extraordinary circumstances.

One could argue that a subpoena relating to the potential deaths of unborn children and the loss of religious freedom could be an extraordinary circumstance.

The Archdiocese of New York is seeking the documents as part of a major rebellion against Obama's edict that Churches and other religious organizations must pay for contraceptive services including abortifacients, in stark violation of natural law and the teachings of Christian faith.

Institutions that refuse to comply with the edict will face substantial penalties. The Archdiocese of New York has estimated it will face penalties of up to $200 million. This is even when "exemptions" for certain employers are taken into account.

The edict would not apply to places of worship, but still applies to religiously affiliated non-profit organizations.

The Obama administration claims that in those cases the employers still will not pay, but rather the insurance companies must pay through a separate plan. Concern remains that this is simply a shell game because money is fungible.

The Obama administration's zeal in pursuing anti-life measures is extreme and his credibility with religious organizations is in tatters. As a result, religious organizations are fighting to defend their religious freedom, to practice their faith without undue impediment from his administration.

For non-Catholics to appreciate the dilemma, consider if the Obama administration had issued an edict that demanded Muslims and Jews must consume pork or pay tremendous fines. For the Catholic Church to be ordered to pay for contraceptives, even in roundabout fashion, is equally anathema.

The Justice Department, is representing the Obama administration.

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