The Diocese of Fort Wayne - South Bend, Inc., the University of Saint Francis, Catholic Charities of the diocese, Our Sunday Visitor, Inc., Saint Anne Home & Retirement Community of the diocese, Franciscan Alliance, Inc., and the University of Notre Dame have filed federal lawsuits against the U.S. Department of Labor, Health and Human services and the U.S. Department of Treasury.

A release from the Diocese of Fort Wayne – South Bend say the lawsuit is “in defense of religious liberty.” It was filed Monday morning at 11:00.

The lawsuit is regarding the recent mandate that requires religious employers to provide birth control and abortion drugs to employees.

The release went on to say the mandate, “… presents a clear and present danger to these Catholic entities’ ability to teach and live their faith, and would make them complicit in providing and facilitating products and services contrary to their clearly-stated doctrines.”

The groups believe the mandate is unconstitutional.

A press conference is planned for 2:30 p.m. at the Archbishop Noll Catholic Center in Ft. Wayne.