Federal Judge Grants Catholic Employers Exemption from Abortion, IVF Regulations

A federal judge in North Dakota has permanently blocked the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission from enforcing regulations that would require over 9,000 Catholic employers to accommodate abortions, fertility treatments like IVF, and abide by guidelines related to gender identity and pronoun usage. The Diocese of Bismarck and the Catholic Benefits Association argued these requirements, implemented under the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act and Biden-era anti-discrimination rules, violated their religious freedom. Judge Daniel Traynor found that enforcing these EEOC rules would force Catholic organizations to act against their sincerely held beliefs, in violation of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act. This ruling follows a previous temporary injunction and reaffirms the court’s view that religious rights must be protected against federal mandates that conflict with faith-based principles. Catholic groups celebrated the decision as a significant victory for religious liberty, emphasizing their commitment to serving others in accordance with their faith. The Pregnant Workers Fairness Act remains in effect for other employers, but Catholic organizations covered by this ruling are exempt from its contested provisions.