Little Sisters, Ave Maria University, ACNA Chaplains' Bishop, and SCOTUS

The Affordable Care Act is to be tested again beginning March 23, 2016 in the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS), this time by the Roman Catholic Church's religious order of the Little Sisters of the Poor.

The Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) has allowed that religious-affiliated organizations not to provide contraception to their employees, but requires such organizations to sign papers documenting their objection to this part of the Act. Such an objection would force the insurer or some other healthcare plan insurer to provide the birth control coverage. This alternative is also objected to by Little Sisters.

The furthering of an explanation of the issue by SCOTUS brings into the debate the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) as in the Hobby Lobby case. Provision by the organization (Little Sisters, in this case) of no-cost contraceptive to employees is a mandate of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Little Sisters' objection to the mandate on religious conviction is what will be argued.

Ave Maria University and the Anglican Chaplains Jurisdiction of the Anglican Church in North America have filed Amici Curiae brief for the upcoming court hearing.

In the "Summary of Argument" the amici curiae states that "The Anglican Church in North America (ACNA) Jurisdiction of the Armed Forces and Chaplaincy is part of the Anglican Communion, the world's third largest Christian Communion with over 85 million members. ACNA's endorser, Bishop Derek Jones, is a retired U.S. Air Force officer and decorated fighter pilot who served 27 years and helped lead the development of the joint military religious affairs doctrine.

"Ave Maria University ("AMU") was founded in 2003 in fidelity to Christ and His Church in response to the call of Vatican II for greater lay witness in contemporary society. ...

The amici curiae are organizations with extensive experience concerning the free exercise of religion in the United States. ..."

Any interested observer can see that the Little Sisters religious convictions would be violated if the HHS mandate is held. Also, one can see how a Christian military chaplain, an officer, would be placed in serious jeopardy of violating military conduct should the mandate be held by SCOTUS.

The court, in accepting this case, combined at least six other suits: (1) Roman Catholic Archbishop of Washington v. Burwell; (2) East Texas Baptist University v. Burwell; (3) Zubik v. Burwell; (4) Priests for Life v. Burwell; (5) Southern Nazarene University v. Burwell; and (6) Geneva College v. Burwell.

Five of the eight justices are Roman Catholic: Chief Justice John Roberts; and Justices Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito, Anthony Kennedy, and Sonia Sotomayer.

Let us pray for ACNA Bishop Derek Jones, the leaders of Ave Maria University, and their legal counsel of record, Scott W. Haylord, Professor Law at Elon University, that their argument will be received as sound, reasonable to the Court, and faithful to their convictions. Therefore, finding in favor of the Little Sisters of the Poor and other dedicated Christians.