TEXAS BISHOPS ENDORSE LAWSUITS DEFENDING RELIGIOUS FREEDOM

AUSTIN -- The Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops today announced its enthusiastic support for the 43 dioceses, hospitals, schools and church agencies from across the country who filed lawsuits challenging the federal government's violation of religious freedom as part of health care reform.

The TCC was equally enthusiastic that two of the state's Catholic dioceses--the Diocese of Dallas and the Diocese of Fort Worth--were party to the suits, and stood at the vanguard of uniting all the Texas dioceses in defending religious liberty.  The Texas bishops further applauded the broad diversity of Church ministries who joined the court challenges in order to preserve their ability to serve the poor, the sick, and the vulnerable regardless of their religious beliefs. 

The Texas Catholic Conference is the official public policy voice of the Catholic Bishops of Texas. It represents the 15 Catholic Dioceses.  The Conference encourages cooperation and communication among the 15 Texas dioceses and 7 million Catholics across the state.