California churches considering next step after decision that forces them to pay for abortion coverage

The following quote may be attributed to Alliance Defending Freedom Legal Counsel Jeremiah Galus regarding a federal court’s decision Friday to dismiss Foothill Church v. Rouillard, a legal challenge by three churches seeking to halt a California mandate that forces all health insurance plans to cover elective abortions:

“Churches should be free to serve their communities according to their religious beliefs without unjust government edicts that force them to violate those beliefs. California has no right to dictate what pastors or churches believe on moral and cultural issues. Yet, with the stroke of a pen—and without consulting the public—the state mandated that churches must pay for the taking of innocent human life. If the state can force a church to pay for the very thing they counsel against, in violation of their constitutionally protected religious beliefs, then no American is secure. Because the court’s decision ignores the longstanding freedom of faith communities to act consistently with their religious mission, we are consulting with our clients about next steps.”