"After reconsideration of their position, defendants with the federal government now agree that enforcement of the rules regarding the contraceptive mandate against employers with sincerely held religious objections would violate the RFRA ..." the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Indiana, South Bend Division, wrote in its order in Grace Schools v. Azar. It added that "the public interest in the vindication of religious freedom favors the entry of an injunction and declaratory judgment."

The order also declares that the mandate violates the federal Religious Freedom Restoration Act signed by President Bill Clinton. The 1993 Act ensures that interests in religious freedom are protected.

The Obama-era mandate forces employers, regardless of their religious or moral convictions, to provide abortion-inducing drugs, sterilization, and contraception through their health plans under threat of heavy penalties. The Department of Justice, under the Trump administration, abandoned its defense of the flawed mandate, which the Department of Health and Human Services implemented during the previous administration.

Both Grace College and Seminary in Indiana and Biola University in California were represented by attorneys from the Alliance Defending Freedom.

"Religious organizations have the freedom to peacefully operate according to their beliefs without the threat of punishment by the government. Monday's order fully affirms that freedom and provides permanent protection from the mandate," said ADF Senior Counsel Gregory S. Baylor.

"These schools no longer have to fear being forced to pay fines for simply abiding by the Christian beliefs they teach and espouse, and they are no longer required to fill out forms authorizing coverage for abortion-inducing drugs," Baylor explained. "The government has many other ways to ensure access to these drugs without forcing people of faith to violate their deepest convictions."

Another federal district court issued a similar order last month for four Christian universities in Oklahoma.

To receive daily emails from Breaking Christian News to your inbox CLICK HERE

A Sacred Assembly: Saturday's Prayer for America on DC's National Mall

130 Christians Slaughtered in 3 Different Countries

Israel Vote Results Leave Netanyahu, Eisenkot Blocs Short of Majority

'Thank God for a Miracle': The Extraordinary Detail Behind the Deadly Checkpoint Attack in Israel (Video)

Minnesota Senate Candidate Flanagan: People Who Stigmatize Abortion 'Don't Know What Happens'

California Sanctuary Cities Ignored 8,901 ICE Detainers and Released Violent Criminals, House Judiciary Report Finds

Amish vs. Public Health™ Showdown Over Vaccine Mandates Nears Climax at Supreme Court

Report: Fired General Admitted Classified Leaks

Evacuations Begin in War-Ravaged Oleshky Under Melania Trump-Brokered Ceasefire (Video)

Mel Gibson Sends Powerful Message to Churches Ahead of 'The Resurrection of the Christ' (Video)

'Students are Hungry for God's Word': Southern Baptist Gateway Seminary Reports Record Enrollment

As Final Israel Vote Count Nears, Israeli President Urges Compromise to Break Electoral Stalemate

Chilling Somali Song Translation: Is This Ilhan Omar's Disturbing Message to Americans?

Polls Show Jewish Exodus to GOP as Dems' Anti-Semitic Midterm Messaging Intensifies

DOJ Sends 1,000 Election Monitors to All 50 States

Democrat Scheme to Deceive Voters in Alaska, Called Out by NY Times, 'Could Snowball Quickly'

Alaska Democrats and the 'Covert Scheme' to Confuse Voters in Senate Race

America's Military Prepares for Grid Failure: Is Your Faith Ready?

Noah's Ark Search Takes Stunning Turn After Researchers Recover Wood from Durupinar Site

Michaels Arts and Crafts Store Refuses to Frame Photo of President Trump (Video)