In South Carolina, unborn babies’ pain drives latest pro-life bill

Last updated on: May 25, 2016 at 6:33 am by CNA Daily News

In South Carolina, unborn babies’ pain drives latest pro-life bill 2016-05-25T06:33:00+00:00 CNA Daily News

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Charleston, S.C., May 25, 2016 / 12:33 am (CNA/EWTN News).- South Carolina has moved closer to stronger legal restrictions against abortion, with a bill to ban most abortions after 19 weeks, due to evidence that unborn children can feel pain at that point.

Bishop Robert Guglielmone of Charleston said the passage of South Carolina’s latest pro-life bill marks “a truly great day… especially for the many children that will be saved by this important life-affirming legislation,” the Charleston diocese’s newspaper The Catholic Miscellany reports.

“This act will support not only the moral law but also (the) proven scientific fact that unborn children feel pain by at least 20 weeks of development after fertilization,” he added. “As the Holy Father has said, ‘Let us say “yes” to life, and “no” to death’.”

Michael Acquilano, director of the South Carolina Catholic Conference, said that abortions have declined by 57 percent in South Carolina after the passage of 14 laws that protect life.

The newest legislation would ban abortions after 19 weeks except for cases when a doctor determines the mother’s life is at risk or that the unborn baby cannot survive outside the womb. A doctor who violates the law would face up to three years in prison and a $10,000 fine.

The South Carolina bill is named the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act. It passed the House by a vote of 79-29 and the Senate by a vote of 36-9.

Gov. Nikki Haley in March said she will almost certainly sign the bill.

Similar laws have been passed in 17 states, though court challenges have blocked enforcement in three states.

In Oklahoma, Gov. Mary Fallin recently vetoed a bill to restrict abortion on the grounds of ambiguity, vagueness and inability to withstand a court challenge.

The bill would have made performing abortion a felony punishable by up to three years in prison. Doctors who perform an abortion would lose their medical licenses. The bill allowed consideration for abortion in cases where a mother’s life was deemed to be in jeopardy.

The legislation had passed the state senate by a 32-12 vote. Lawmakers can still attempt to override the bill, which was part of a strategy to challenge Roe v. Wade.

Gov. Fallin has signed 18 pro-life bills, Fox News reports.

Archbishop Paul Coakley of Oklahoma City did not comment on the specific legislation but voiced support for general pro-life efforts.

“I appreciate our Oklahoma leaders' recognition of the dignity and sanctity of every human life from conception to its natural end,” he told CNA May 23.

“Every life is precious and has infinite value in the eyes of God who creates each of us out of love. We must reject the throw away mentality that values human beings merely on the basis of their usefulness, health, age or economic status,” Archbishop Coakley said. “We can offer a compassionate and understanding pathway toward this renewal of our culture.”

Photo credit: djile via www.shutterstock.com.

Previous Post

May 24, 2016

Supreme Court sends more mandate cases back to lower circuits

Next Post

May 25, 2016 With Albino killings on the rise, Malawi's bishops speak out

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Americas Asia - Pacific Europe Middle East - Africa Uncategorized US Vatican

Select a Month November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

Which Christian festival begins with Ash Wednesday and ends at Easter?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Pentecost Epiphany Advent Lent