Washington, D.C. Newsroom, Aug 15, 2024 / 15:19 pm (CNA).
Here’s a roundup of pro-life-related developments in the U.S. this week.
Arizona approves term ‘unborn human’ on abortion amendment explainer
The Arizona Supreme Court has approved the use of the term “unborn human being” in a state explainer on the broad abortion amendment on the ballot this November.
The ruling reverses a July decision by the lower Maricopa County Superior Court that struck the term “unborn human being” from a state explainer on the proposed abortion amendment. The superior court’s ruling claimed the term was misleading and “inherently political.”
The Arizona Supreme Court, however, said in its Wednesday ruling that the Maricopa court erred in its decision and that the phrase “unborn human being,” which is used in the state’s existing law, “substantially complies” with the impartiality requirement.
The term will now be included in a pamphlet that explains all the amendment proposals on the ballot. The pamphlet will be sent to voters before the election.
Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes has verified enough signatures to add the abortion amendment proposal to the ballot, meaning voters will decide whether to enshrine a broad right to abortion in the state constitution this November.
If the amendment is successful, it would invalidate the state’s law protecting unborn life at 15 weeks as well as most of the state’s pro-life laws.
Majority of American women support legal abortion
Three out of four American women of reproductive age believe that abortion should be legal in all or most cases, according to a new study released Wednesday by the research group the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF). KFF defined reproductive age as 18 through 49.
Roughly four out of 10 women (45%) correctly described the legal status of abortion in their state and nearly a third (32%) indicated that they did not know whether abortion was legal in their state. Similarly, 67% of women said that they did not know whether their state allowed chemical abortion.
The study also demonstrates the state of fear surrounding abortion with six out of 10 (63%) of women indicating that they are concerned they or someone close to them would not be able to get an abortion if it was needed to preserve their life or health. Currently, every state with an abortion restriction allows exceptions for abortion in cases in which the mother’s life is in danger, according to data gathered by Americans United for Life.
Meanwhile, only 26% of American women of reproductive age believe abortion should be illegal in all or most cases.
According to KFF, 70% of reproductive-age women support a federal law guaranteeing a right to abortion, while 63% of women oppose a law protecting unborn life at 15 weeks.
Finally, the study found that 74% of women of reproductive age oppose a policy of leaving abortion up to the states.
Abortion amendment officially on Missouri ballot
Missouri Secretary of State John Ashcroft has certified enough signatures to officially add the “Right to Reproductive Freedom” amendment to the state ballot this November.
This means that Missouri voters will decide whether to enshrine a “fundamental right” to abortion at all stages of pregnancy.
If successful, the amendment would invalidate the state’s current law protecting life at conception as well as most other pro-life measures on the books.
It would allow certain regulations on abortion after viability but only if they do not “deny, interfere with, delay, or otherwise restrict an abortion that in the good faith judgment of a treating health care professional is needed to protect the life or physical or mental health of the pregnant person.”
Wisconsin Capitol Police decline to investigate abortion leak
Citing a conflict of interest, the Wisconsin Capitol Police have refused to investigate the recent leak of a state supreme court draft order concerning abortion.
According to the Wisconsin Watch, the state capitol police are part of the administration of Democratic Gov. Tony Evers, who is an outspoken abortion supporter. Wisconsin Watch reported that Evers spokesperson Britt Cudaback said there was a “clear conflict” considering the governor’s “significant concern about the outcome of the court’s decisions.”
The leaked order concerned a lawsuit by Planned Parenthood and several other pro-abortion groups that seeks to invalidate the state’s law protecting life at conception. The law is not currently being enforced after Dane County Circuit Judge Diane Schlipper ruled in the abortion industry’s favor last year.
The leak, which was first reported on by Wisconsin Watch on June 26, prematurely revealed the Wisconsin Supreme Court’s plans to take up an appeal in the case. The Wisconsin Supreme Court has since officially taken up the case.
After the leak, Chief Justice Annette Ziegler said that the court was “united behind this investigation to identify the source of the apparent leak” and that all seven justices on the court “condemn this breach,” according to the Associated Press.
The Associated Press reported that after the Wisconsin Capitol Police declined to investigate the leak, Ziegler said she would “pursue other means in an effort to get to the bottom of this leak.”
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Why not unborn human person as it is not possible for a man and woman to conceive a son or daughter who is not, in essence, a human person.
In fact, in order to justify abortion, the State, in depriving an innocent son or daughter of their unalienable Right to Life, has the burden of proof to demonstrate how it would be possible for a son or daughter of human persons to not be a human person .
And to have committed a capital crime.
Hell exists. God will not be mocked…. He loves each and every one of these innocent unborn little girls and boys very much.
One of 4 sins crying out to Heaven for vengeance.
I am so very sorry Lord these little ones are being killed
I read recently that one question rarely if ever asked of pro-aborts is: “Please define for me exactly what an abortion is.”
God bless those who speak for precious unborn baby girls and boys
Hardening of hearts of being left to effects of wrong choices through decades – the statistics quoted – as to so many denying the truth of what humans and babies are in a nation that is not illiterate, instead in the ‘demonic wisdom ‘ of being ‘educated ‘ in how to make idols of carnal passions to become its slaves … a candidate who tries to arouse enthusiasm talking about plans to have affordable housing for the poor while the other half of the tongue tells families how to make own bodies and homes temples of the demons, with all that follows …to let the nation itself fall sooner or later under its effects ..not seeing themselves as persons whose primary call is as a people who adore God , finding joy and peace in same …The Immaculate Conception brings out the truth as to how soul of Bl.Mother was adoring God from the very beginning – such as awareness of sanctity of life of babies too with souls that love and adore and bless , inspite of enemy claims against them from The Fall – the efforts of the Holy Father too to instill the truth of dignity of life of even those who are fallen are very likely motivated by similar reasons …
The church closings during Covid can also be seen as a sort of chastisement to protect many from the sacrilege of unworthy reception of Holy Eucharist with hardened bitter hearts who have not repented of carnal evils either …
Good talk on St.Philomena the powerful Patroness of chastity esp. for the young by Rev.Fr . Chris Alar of the Marians who witness to the practice of also wearing the red and white cord as advocated by St.John Vianney who was much devoted to her –
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ffaVuyjvpDg
The states that plan to vote on prolife issue might need to do much more in helping to free persons from indifference as the hardness of hearts – ? a campaign of distributing the red and white cords as devotion to the St – unsure if there are any stipulation other than getting them blessed – getting ordinary red and white wool / cotton threads to make same available in schools / colleges , neighborhoods .
One can hope too that the candidate who does not bring up the issue much sort of ‘knows’ that talk alone might not help much anymore yet has / would have enough Godly wisdom to make right moves … including powerful intercession of St.Charbel in the Lebanese connection ..
There are many , Holy Father on down interceding with the Queen of Heaven and earth to take charge of hearts and nations that we too would say with the babies , to let the Divine Will reign for every life to be a blessing in its God given home of the womb on down ! FIAT !
We never missed one Mass during Covid. My Priest, and our Bishop, we’re heroic.