This morning, 12 lawsuits were filed across the nation by 43 Catholic dioceses and institutions against the federal government, challenging the contraception and abortion mandates as violations of religious freedom.

The Archdiocese of New York (and its health care agency, ArchCare) and the Diocese of Rockville Centre (Brooklyn) were among the dioceses to file suit. Other suits were filed by the Archdioceses of Washington, Dallas, and St. Louis, the Dioceses of Erie, Pittsburgh, Fort Worth, Jackson, Biloxi and Joliet, numerous Catholic Charities agencies, and Notre Dame University, Catholic University of America, and Franciscan University.

• Press release from the Archdiocese of New York
• Copy of the lawsuit filed in at the US Federal Court in Brooklyn 
• Statement from Cardinal Dolan on behalf of the US Council of Catholic Bishops

“We have tried negotiation with the Administration and legislation with the Congress, — and will keep at it — and there’s still no fix. Time is running out, and our precious ministries and fundamental rights hang in the balance, so we have to resort to the courts now.” — Timothy Cardinal Dolan