Georgia judge’s blocking of 6-week abortion law is ‘terrible step backwards,’ bishops say
Caroline MolloyThe Catholic bishops of Georgia have called a court’s ruling that a law protecting life beginning at six weeks is unconstitutional a “terrible step backwards” and have asked the faithful to respond through “prayer and action.”
The ruling, issued in the state Superior Court for Fulton County on Monday, blocks enforcement of the state’s pro-life law, which was enacted in 2022 following the overturning of Roe v. Wade. The law, titled the LIFE Act, prohibits abortion after an unborn baby’s heartbeat is detectable. The court’s ruling means that abortion is now legal in Georgia until 22 weeks of pregnancy.
In a statement shared with CNA on Tuesday, Georgia’s five bishops said that “yesterday’s ruling to overturn Georgia’s abortion ban represents a terrible step backwards in our never-ending efforts to recognize and respect the inherent dignity of every life.”
Lamenting the decision, the bishops asked: “How many tiny lives will be extinguished while lawyers appeal and lawmakers debate?”
