The Erie Catholic Diocese says it can't wait for a ruling in it's court challenge over the contraceptive mandate in the new health care law.
Erie joined 11 other dioceses in May in filing suit against the government, charging the law violated religious freedom. That suit is pending.
But the diocese says it needs to plan health insurance coverage for it's 4,000 employees. So it has now filed for an injunction in U.S. District Court to prevent the law from being enforced.
Bishop Donald Trautman said, "The diocese needs substantial lead time to plan for employee health benefits and future plans. So we are adversely affected presently by this ruling, by the regulation."
The government now has the chance to respond to the injunction request.