Case: Catholic Charities, Diocese of Fort Worth v. Sebelius

4:12-cv-00314 | U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas

Filed Date: May 21, 2012

Closed Date: 2018

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Case Summary

On May 21, 2012, the Catholic Diocese of Fort Worth filed a lawsuit in the Northern District of Texas against the Federal Government under the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (42 U.S.C. § 2000bb), the Administrative Procedure Act (5 U.S.C. § 706(2)), and the First Amendment. The Catholic Diocese represented several other religiously affiliated schools and organizations. The plaintiffs, represented by private counsel, sought to enjoin enforcement of provisions of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) …

On May 21, 2012, the Catholic Diocese of Fort Worth filed a lawsuit in the Northern District of Texas against the Federal Government under the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (42 U.S.C. § 2000bb), the Administrative Procedure Act (5 U.S.C. § 706(2)), and the First Amendment. The Catholic Diocese represented several other religiously affiliated schools and organizations. The plaintiffs, represented by private counsel, sought to enjoin enforcement of provisions of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) extending universal contraception coverage in employer-sponsored private health insurance coverage. The plaintiffs contended that this mandatory contraception coverage violated their sincerely held religious beliefs.

On January 31, 2013, U.S. District Court (Judge Terry R. Means) denied the U.S. motion to dismiss for lack of ripeness. On August 22, 2013, the plaintiffs filed an amended complaint addressing the government's newly released accommodations for non-profit, religious organizations.

On October 9, one of the plaintiffs—The University of Dallas—filed a motion for preliminary injunction. On December 31, 2013, Judge Means granted the plaintiff's motion, adopting the analysis set out by Judge Rosenthal in her opinion in E. Texas Baptist Univ. v. Sebelius just three days prior. Both Judges agreed that the accommodation imposition on the plaintiffs to self-certify their religious objections to this requirement of the ACA met the substantial burden test. On February 24, 2014, the defendant filed an interlocutory appeal to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit. (Case No. 14-10241)

The remaining plaintiffs—Catholic Charities, Diocese of Fort Worth, Inc., Our Lady of Victory Catholic School, and Roman Catholic Diocese of Fort Worth—filed a motion for preliminary injunction on April 18, 2014. Judge Means granted the preliminary injunction on June 5, 2014, enjoining the defendant from enforcing the ACA provision at issue in this case until further order from the court. The defendant filed an interlocutory appeal to the 5th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals on June 9, 2014.

The plaintiffs Roman Catholic Diocese of Fort Worth and Our Lady of Victory Catholic School filed a motion for voluntary dismissal, and on September 30, 2014 Judge Means entered a final judgment dismissing the case without prejudice as to the two plaintiffs. Given the lead plaintiff’s dismissal from the case, the name of the plaintiff in the case was changed to “Catholic Charities, Diocese of Fort Worth, Inc.” at this time.

In addition to this case, there was also a case filed in the Eastern District of Texas and one filed in the Northern District of Texas, all alleging the same ACA violation. The 5th Circuit Court of Appeals consolidated the appeals of the claims in all three district courts into one appeal, under the case name, East Texas Baptist University v. Burwell. Judge Jerry E. Smith delivered the opinion on June 22, 2015. The Circuit Court’s decision reversed all of the District Courts’ decisions, including Judge Means' grant of the plaintiffs’ motion for a preliminary injunction, because the “plaintiffs have not shown and are not likely to show that the requirement substantially burdens their religious exercise under established law.” 793 F.3d 449.

The plaintiffs of this consolidated case filed a petition to the Supreme Court, which granted certiorari on May 17, 2016. The Supreme Court vacated the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals decision on the same day in the case University of Dallas v. Burwell. The Court remanded this consolidated case back to the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals in light of its recent remand in Zubik v. Burwell, which reached no decision on the merits of a similar case. 136 S.Ct. 2008.

On October 6, 2017, President Trump changed federal government's policy on the matter, removing the requirement that employers provide contraception coverage through health insurance plans. Shortly thereafter, the plaintiffs moved to voluntarily dismiss the case.

A final judgment was entered in accordance with the plaintiffs’ joint stipulation of dismissal on January 11, 2018. The case was dismissed with prejudice and is now closed.

Summary Authors

Christopher Schad (5/20/2012)

Wyatt Fore (3/29/2013)

Mallory Jones (3/24/2014)

Mackenzie Walz (1/21/2018)

People

For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/6174621/parties/catholic-charities-diocese-of-fort-worth-inc-v-sylvia-burwell/


Judge(s)
Attorney for Plaintiff

Crumley, John W. (Texas)

Attorney for Defendant

Attorney, Daniel David

Expert/Monitor/Master/Other

Amiri, Brigitte A. (New York)

Attorney, Deborah Jane

Counsel, Mailee Rebecca

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Documents in the Clearinghouse

Document

4:12-cv-00314

0:14-10241

Docket [PACER]

Roman Catholic Diocese of Fort Worth v. Sebelius

Oct. 7, 2015

Oct. 7, 2015

Docket
1

4:12-cv-00314

Plaintiff's Original Complaint

Roman Catholic Diocese of Fort Worth v. Sebelius

May 21, 2012

May 21, 2012

Complaint
43

4:12-cv-00314

Order [denying defendants' motion to dismiss]

Roman Catholic Diocese of Fort Worth v. Sebelius

Jan. 31, 2013

Jan. 31, 2013

Order/Opinion

2013 WL 9600145

47

4:12-cv-00314

Defendants’ Motion for Reconsideration or, in the Alternative, for Certification Under 28 U.S.C. § 1292(B) Permitting Immediate Appeal and Brief in Support

Roman Catholic Diocese of Fort Worth v. Sebelius

Feb. 28, 2013

Feb. 28, 2013

Pleading / Motion / Brief
52

4:12-cv-00314

Plaintiff’s Response to Defendants’ Motion for Reconsideration or Immediate Appeal Under 28 U.S.C. § 1292(b)

Roman Catholic Diocese of Fort Worth v. Sebelius

U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas

March 21, 2013

March 21, 2013

Pleading / Motion / Brief
53

4:12-cv-00314

Defendants’ Reply in Support of Their Motion for Reconsideration or, in the Alternative, for Certification under 28 U.S.C. § 1292(b) Permitting Immediate Appeal

Roman Catholic Diocese of Fort Worth v. Sebelius

April 4, 2013

April 4, 2013

Pleading / Motion / Brief
57

4:12-cv-00314

Order Denying Motion to Reconsider or, Alternatively, to Certify for Immediate Appeal

Roman Catholic Diocese of Fort Worth v. Sebelius

June 7, 2013

June 7, 2013

Order/Opinion

2013 WL 9600550

64

4:12-cv-00314

First Amended Complaint

Roman Catholic Diocese of Fort Worth v. Sebelius

Aug. 22, 2013

Aug. 22, 2013

Complaint
70

4:12-cv-00314

Plaintiff University of Dallas's Motion for Preliminary Injunction

Roman Catholic Diocese of Fort Worth v. Sebelius

Oct. 9, 2013

Oct. 9, 2013

Pleading / Motion / Brief
72

4:12-cv-00314

Plaintiffs’ Brief in Support of Plaintiff University of Dallas’s Motion for Preliminary Injunction and Plaintiffs’ Motion for Summary Judgment

Roman Catholic Diocese of Fort Worth v. Sebelius

Oct. 9, 2013

Oct. 9, 2013

Pleading / Motion / Brief

Resources

Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/6174621/catholic-charities-diocese-of-fort-worth-inc-v-sylvia-burwell/

Last updated Dec. 18, 2024, 6:24 p.m.

Docket sheet not available via the Clearinghouse.

Case Details

State / Territory: Texas

Case Type(s):

Speech and Religious Freedom

Special Collection(s):

Contraception Insurance Mandate

Multi-LexSum (in sample)

Key Dates

Filing Date: May 21, 2012

Closing Date: 2018

Case Ongoing: No

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

Several religiously affiliated universities in Texas.

Plaintiff Type(s):

Private Plaintiff

Public Interest Lawyer: No

Filed Pro Se: No

Class Action Sought: No

Class Action Outcome: Not sought

Defendants

U.S. Department of Treasury, Federal

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Federal

U.S. Department of Labor, Federal

Case Details

Causes of Action:

Religious Freedom Rest. Act/Religious Land Use and Inst. Persons Act (RFRA/RLUIPA)

Administrative Procedure Act, 5 U.S.C. §§ 551 et seq.

Constitutional Clause(s):

Free Exercise Clause

Establishment Clause

Freedom of speech/association

Available Documents:

Trial Court Docket

Complaint (any)

Any published opinion

Outcome

Prevailing Party: None Yet / None

Nature of Relief:

None

Source of Relief:

Litigation

Form of Settlement:

Voluntary Dismissal

Content of Injunction:

Preliminary relief granted

Issues

General/Misc.:

Religious programs / policies

Discrimination Basis:

Religion discrimination

Reproductive rights:

Contraception