The Center for Reproductive Rights announced today that it has filed a motion in the East Central District Court on behalf of the Red River Women’s Clinic to block implementation of SB 2305, which requires that abortionists have local hospital admitting privileges.  The center also stated its intention to block the state’s prenatal anti-discrimination law.

North Dakota Catholic Conference Executive Director Christopher Dodson issued this statement in response:

It is shocking that only days after a Pennsylvania jury found abortionist Kermit Gosnell guilty of 237 counts of flaunting laws to protect women’s and children’s health, the Red River Women’s Clinic seeks to block a law enacted to prevent horrors like those committed by Gosnell.

The North Dakota legislature, taking into account the high volume of abortions conducted by itinerant physicians at the clinic, reasonably concluded that requiring physician privileges would better protect the health and safety of women seeking abortions.  The clinic’s actions reveal a sad disregard for women’s health.

The Center for Reproductive Rights also announced  that it will soon file a lawsuit challenging North Dakota’s new prenatal anti-discrimination law.  That law, which passed with overwhelming bipartisan support in the state legislature, prohibits abortions done solely for the purpose of sex selection or because of a genetic abnormality, such as Downs Syndrome.

It is appalling to learn that the state’s only abortion center is seeking legal license to abort children solely because of their gender or genetic traits.

These laws reflect the desire of the people of North Dakota to reject fatal discrimination and to protect women’s health and safety.  Let us pray that justice prevails.

The chairman of the Committee on Pro-Life Activities of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops called for reflection, greater respect for human life and healing in the wake of the May 13 convictions of Dr. Kermit Gosnell of Philadelphia.

“Dr. Gosnell’s trial brought much-needed attention to the tragedy of abortion,” said Cardinal Seán O’Malley, OFM Cap., of Boston. “His murder convictions of newly delivered infants have caused many people to reexamine their positions on abortion.”

Among Gosnell’s 237 convictions were three counts of first-degree murder of infants born alive during attempted late-term abortions, one count of infanticide, and the involuntary manslaughter of a patient who died from complications of anesthesia administered by an unlicensed nurse at his abortion clinic. He was also found guilty of conspiracy, performing abortions beyond the legal limit in Pennsylvania, and 208 violations of the state’s informed consent law. On May 14, Gosnell was sentenced to life in prison.

“In addition to the violence against defenseless unborn and newborn children, women’s lives were endangered by his unethical practices. I hope and pray that Dr. Gosnell will come to regret and repent for his many crimes,” Cardinal O’Malley said. “Our nation needs great healing from the culture of death, of which this sad story is only one example. Let us pray for the children who have been lost and the many mothers and families who silently grieve their loss. Our Lord longs to heal every person affected by the tragedy of abortion and other violence.”

More information on the Catholic Church’s pastoral response to those who have been involved in abortion is available at HopeAfterAbortion.com. More information on nationwide efforts of prayer and fasting are available at www.usccb.org/fast.

Bishop David Kagan of the Bismarck Catholic Diocese thanked everyone in attendance for their “support for the cause of life.”

Kagan said with the passage of the abortion laws, “North Dakota is second to no other state in our nation” in valuing of all human life from conception to death.

Kagan chose to end his remarks with a 2005 quote by Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI:

“We are not some casual and meaningless product of evolution. Each of us is the result of a thought of God. Each of us is willed, each of us is loved, each of us is necessary.”

Christopher Dodson, director of the North Dakota Catholic Conference, echoed much of what Pavone told the crowd.

“This is the future of North Dakota, the future of our country,” Dodson said. “It’s a violent act (abortion); a sign that we have failed as a society. We can do better.”

Dodson said he had one thing to say to pro-choice individuals who argue that the abortion laws “turn back the clock” in North Dakota.

“That clock was broke 40 years ago,” Dodson said, in reference to the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision legalizing abortion.

 Read the full story . . .

Pro-Lifers Gather At Capitol To Say “Thank You”

Governor Dalrymple has signed into law SB 2368, which bans abortions after twenty weeks gestation.

Come to today’s rally to show your appreciation!

The state House of Representatives has given its final approval to SB 2368, which would ban abortion after 20 weeks gestation.

The measure passed 60-32.

The bill now goes to Governor Dalrymple for his signature.

Father Frank Pavone, the National Director of Priests for Life, will be the key speaker at the Pro-Life Celebration and Appreciation Rally at the North Dakota State Capitol in Bismarck.

When: Wednesday, April 17, beginning at 3:00 pm.

Where: Steps of the North Dakota State Capitol, Bismarck

Why: To celebrate the enactment of the new pro-life laws in North Dakota and show our appreciation to the legislators and Governor Dalrymple for making them possible.

For more information call 1-800-247-0343.

North Dakota recently enacted first-of-its-kind legislation: a bill prohibiting abortion when it is performed solely on the basis of a genetic abnormality of the unborn child. The provision was enacted along with a prohibition on abortion based solely on the sex of the unborn child. Both provisions are significant strides toward protecting the unborn against violent discrimination.

Persons with genetic abnormalities are a prime target in the womb-oftentimes based upon inaccurate medical data. While state and federal laws, such as the Americans with Disabilities Act, prohibit discrimination against persons with genetic abnormalities, that protection was not afforded to such persons before they are born.

Read the rest . . .

Also:

Outlawing abortion won’t help children with Down syndrome? History might suggest otherwise

and

The continued wide-spread abortion of children with Down Syndrome magnifies an ever-increasing prejudice in our society