Wow. How’s this for a turnaround. Just a few hours ago CMR reported that the Philadelphia archdioceses and related charitable entities had been denied injunctive relief from enforcement of the HHS mandate. But now, it seems things are moving fast with the deadline approaching. A court of appeals has just granted temporary relief.

Archbishop Chaput just released this statement:

I was very pleased to learn just a short time ago that the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit has granted charitable entities related to the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, along with the Archdiocese itself, temporary injunctive relief, pending further briefing. This temporary injunction delays enforcement of portions of the Affordable Care Act.

I’m grateful for the order issued by this court, which allows us to continue our pursuit of the First Amendment principle of religious freedom. Thankfully, the injunction will allow our charitable entities to continue performing their good works and ministerial outreach to people throughout the Philadelphia region without fear of facing punitive fines. We will continue, on behalf of all believing Catholics, to stand up for religious liberty and our right to minister to those most in need according to the teachings of the Church.

That’s good news.