Appeals Court Blocks HHS Mandate for MO Catholic Businessman

CHICAGO, Nov. 29, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The CatholicVote.org Legal Defense Fund applauded a ruling Wednesday evening by the 8^th Circuit Federal Court of Appeals granting their request for a preliminary injunction against enforcement of the HHS mandate against a Missouri businessman, Frank O'Brien, head of St Louis-based ChristyCo.

Brian Burch of the CatholicVote.org Legal Defense Fund commented: "The court's decision yesterday evening protects our client from the ruinous fines used to coerce compliance with the unconstitutional mandate while our appeal proceeds.  We remain confident that the court will eventually permanently enjoin enforcement of the mandate and restore the long-protected religious freedom of our client as well as others."

"Frank O'Brien's company is not an explicitly religious organization, yet his faith is not something he views as separate from his professional work.  Christians do not check their faith at the church door on Sundays.  They are called to live out their faith in all that they do," continued Burch.

"The court was right to stop the HHS mandate while we challenge its constitutionality. The First Amendment clearly provides religious liberty protection for all Americans, including Frank O'Brien."

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit is the highest court to issue an injunction.

Frank O'Brien is represented by the CatholicVote.org Legal Defense Fund and the American Center for Law and Justice.

SOURCE CatholicVote.org