Federal judge rules Catholic employers can reject rules protecting employees seeking abortion and fertility care

BISMARCK, N.D. (KVRR/AP) — A federal judge says more than 8,000 Catholic employers nationwide have the right to reject government rules that protect employees seeking abortion and fertility care.

U.S. District Judge Daniel Traynor of Bismarck issued a preliminary injunction, ruling that the Catholic Benefits Association and the Bismarck Diocese are most likely to prove that final regulations adopted in April by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission violate their religious freedom.

These regulations are intended to enforce the federal Pregnant Worker Fairness Act.

The judge also barred the commission from forcing the diocese and association to comply with harassment rules designed to protect employees.

The judge said the rule “forces members to choose between expressing sincerely held beliefs and complying” and could cause “irreparable” harm.