Media Opinions on Notre Dame's Lawsuit

The media pundits are now beginning to weigh in on the University of Notre Dame's decision to file a federal lawsuit this morning in opposition to the HHS mandate.

Here's what's being said this evening at MSNBC and FOX:

LINK:  MSNBC'S ANDREA MITCHELL

LINK:  FOX NEWS' ALL-STAR PANEL

Happy 89th Birthday Coach Ara Parseghian!

Today, Notre Dame all-time great, Ara Parseghian turned 89 years young!  Congratulations Coach!

6,300 YEARS of Great Service to Notre Dame!

Tonight, inside the "north dome" of the Joyce Center -- hundreds (and I mean HUNDREDS) of University of Notre Dame employees were honored for their years of service.  Employees with 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40 and 40+ years at Notre Dame were recognized by Fr. Jenkins and his leadership team along with a number of the deans.

It was announced that the employees honored tonight represented 6,300 Years of service to the University of Notre Dame -- think about that!

One of my colleagues, Augie Freda (in photo) received one of the five major awards this evening -- as he was awarded the Presidential Leadership Award for his great work for the University of Notre Dame.  Augie Freda is well deserving of every honor he receives!

In addition, I had the great fortune of sitting next to "Notre Dame royalty" in the form of one Sally Almassy (photo with Augie).  Now, you may not know the name or face -- but, if you've ever called the University of Notre Dame's main phone number you'll know Sally's distinctive voice and delivery of; "THIS, IS THE UNIVERSITY OF NOTRE DAME."

Sally was honored for her fifteen years of service to Notre Dame.  And, on the other side of me sat another colleague of mine, Jennielea Vidrich -- who was honored for TWENTY years of service to Notre Dame!

Congratulations to Augie, Sally, Jennielea and all of our colleagues at the University of Notre Dame -- you make this institution special!

Early Reaction to Notre Dame's HHS Lawsuit

Here's how the media is reporting the lawsuit Notre Dame filed this morning against the HHS mandate.  The federal lawsuit is believed to be the first complaint ever filed by Notre Dame against the federal government -- in the University's 170 year history.

LINK:  FOX NEWS

LINK:  MSNBC

LINK:  CNN

LINK:  ABC NEWS

LINK:  CBS NEWS

LINK:  WASHINGTON POST

LINK:  WALL STREET JOURNAL

Notre Dame Files Lawsuit Against HHS Mandate

The University of Notre Dame filled a lawsuit this morning in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Indiana regarding the recent mandate from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).  This mandate requires Notre Dame and other religious organizations to provide in their insurance plans -- abortion-inducing drugs, contraceptives and sterilization procedures, which are contrary to Catholic teaching.

Notre Dame's lawsuit was one of twelve filed this morning by 43 plaintiffs challenging the constitutionality of the regulation.  In the suit; Kathleen Sebelius (Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services) is sued in her official capacity, as is Hilda Solis (Secretary of the U.S. Department of Labor) and Timothy Geitner (Secretary of the U.S. Department of Treasury)

Here's a link to Notre Dame's official release along with a link to a copy of the actual complaint:

LINK:  NOTRE DAME FILES LAWSUIT AGAINST HHS MANDATE 

LINK:  COPY OF NOTRE DAME'S COMPLAINT