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This Insights eNewsletter was sent to subscribers on July 20, 2012.

eNewsletter Subject: The Slippery HHS Mandate

I'm not sure why the constitutionality of a law or regulation cannot be tested because it might change in the future, but two different Federal judges have dismissed suits against the HHS contraception mandate at least partly on these peculiar grounds. See these Catholic World News stories:

• July 18: Judge dismisses lawsuit against HHS mandate
• Today: Catholic school’s suit against contraceptive mandate is ‘not ripe,’ court says

Since, for the moment, the courts are saying these lawsuits are premature, we'll move on to internal Church affairs. Perhaps the most important commentary we have published this week is Phil Lawler's outstanding analysis of the state of negotiations between Rome and the SSPX: The SSPX didn't say No. An agreement is still likely.

I'd also like to call your attention to an anniversary. It is the first anniversary of the news website launched last year by the Pontifical Council of Social Communications, news.va. Sure, our own Catholic World News is a far more comprehensive source of Catholic news, and one that handles tough stories with a certain necessary independence. But it is still interesting to visit this site, which aggregates the news of all the media offices of the Holy See.

Also, for the theologically-minded, please note that I've just posted a review of the latest book by one of the preeminent theologians still writing today. See Aidan Nichols: Chalice of God....

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