Catholics from St. Louis, Missouri filed a lawsuit opposing the city last Monday, after the city enacted an ordinance that aims to eliminate instances of discrimination based on personal reproductive health decisions. This is due to the fact that the ordinance could make landlords and employers take actions that go against governing doctrines of their faith.
A 'sanctuary city' for abortion?
What this bill means is that employers cannot make their hiring and firing decisions based on whether an individual had an abortion, artificial insemination, used contraceptives, or got pregnant outside of marriage.
Likewise, landlords cannot refuse or evict tenants based on these or similar reasons.
St. Louis Archbishop Robert Carlson was not proud of the bill, saying that it was not a milestone of the city's success. Rather, he sees it as a marker for a city that "embraces the culture of death." Needless to say, the Archdiocese and all institutions affiliated with it will not be complying with the bill.
As for the lawsuit itself, it was actually filed by three entities: Catholic grade schools that operate under the Archdiocese of St. Louis; an institution called Our Lady's Inn that serves as a home for homeless pregnant women; and a privately owned company owned by a devout Catholic. They are opposed to the bill, fearing that it would make St.
Louis a safe haven or a "sanctuary city" for those who underwent an abortion.
City Mayor Lyda Krewson defended the law, saying that it does not infringe on the rights of the Archdiocese. She added that in the board bill, they partnered with the Archdiocese in the decision to modify the language used. To be clear, she stated that the city just does not want to support any form of discrimination against anyone.
An Alderwoman named Megan Ellyia Green sponsored this particular bill, and it was reported that it was not inspired by recent events or situations that arose from the current law.
Anti-abortion groups says the law needs a few more provisions
Despite this, Sarah Pitlyk, an attorney from an anti-abortion firm called the Thomas More Society, still sees the law as lacking.
Pitlyk thought it should contain exceptions so that Catholic schools can only hire teachers that support Catholic views on abortion. The law also does not contain provisions for private companies that are owned by devout Catholics, like Frank O'Brien Jr. and O'Brien Industrial Holdings LLC.
The city of St. Louis is not the only place in the U.S. to enact anti-discrimination laws based on reproductive health decisions. Delaware, Boston, and Washington, D.C. have enacted similar ordinances in recent years.
