Franciscan University of Steubenville reacted to the federal government's motion to dissolve a lawsuit filed over issues of religious freedom Thursday. The university filed the lawsuit in May to fight the Affordable Care Act mandate for employers to provide contraceptive services.

Officials said no changes have been made in favor of religious institutions since the mandate was put in place, and they said they will stand firm in their beliefs and actions.

"We didn't file a lawsuit based on what they might do -- it was on what was actually written in law," said Mike Hernon, vice president of advancement. "Right now, they are trying to say, 'Well they haven't been damaged yet, they haven't been harmed.'"

But by next year, the mandate requires employers to provide coverage for contraceptive services, which goes against Catholic beliefs. According to university employees, it's an issue of religious freedom.

"We all need to be free to be able to chose what we want to do based on how do we want to spend our money, how do we want to practice our faith," said Kristi Scheerbaum, an university employee.

With the Republican National Convention underway this week, university employees voiced their thoughts on how the mandate will play out in the political arena.

“We have the Catholic bishop speaking in a united voice that has never been heard before," said Hernon. "(There are) a lot of people who are very engaged and very concerned about where our country is leading us, where our country is going."

Legislators later included an exemption after several lawsuits were filed against the mandate, but officials said the university's insurance company will still be forced to provide those contraceptive services. It's not enough for employees, who said what they would like to see happen.

"I'd like to see it dismantled if possible. The other thing is I'd like to see a conscience clause incorporated," said Ellis Schwertzer, an university employee.

Supporters of the health care mandate said it would provide coverage of needed services for those who can't afford them on their own.

A federal judge won't rule on the motion to dismiss until October, officials said.