North Dakota Bishop: new laws move pro-life cause forward
(Vatican Radio) The U.S. state of North Dakota this week passed legislation making
it one of the most pro-life states in the nation.
The new laws notably prohibit
abortion after the detection of a heartbeat in the unborn baby; and also prohibit
abortion for sex selection or genetic abnormality. A third law introduces regulations
designed to help protect the health of women having abortions.
The Bishop
of Bismarck, North Dakota, David Kagan, applauded the legislation, but noted that
more work needs to be done: “We realise that the matter is far from over, even though
we in North Dakota have, in a certain sense, moved the pro-life cause forward appreciably
in these last few months.”
He said, “We want to continue to pray most especially,
and respectfully, but truthfully and forthrightly continue to defend life and defend
human dignity and urge our legislators to continue what they have, I think, very courageously
done here.”
He recognised the efforts of politicians in making the new laws
a reality. “As soon as the governor signed those three bills into law, I issued a
brief statement through the North Dakota Catholic conference, applauding both the
legislator and our governor for taking this action to protect unborn human life, and
truly to advance the real health of all women in our state.”
“I’m very proud
of what they did,” Bishop Kagan said. He continued, “I’m not just grateful to all
of them, but I’m truly grateful to all of the Catholics of North Dakota and all others
that join us in advocating for the protection of human life and the support and the
enhancement of the real health for all women.”
Listen to the full interview
of Bishop David D. Kagan of Bismarck, North Dakota, with Christopher Wells:
Below,
please find the full text of Bishop David Kagan’s statement on North Dakota’s new
pro-life legislation:
The protection of all human life from the moment
of conception to natural death is the primary purpose of government. All persons,
including our elected officials, are obligated to unceasingly seek protection of this
basic human right. I applaud the members of the North Dakota legislature who bravely
supported measures to extend protections to unborn human life and to advance the health
of women.
I also applaud Governor Jack Dalrymple for signing SB 2305, HB 1305,
and HB 1456. His signature affirms our state’s commitment to the protection of all
human life.
Finally, I ask that all Catholics of the state join me this Holy
Week in praying for our all of our elected leaders. May the Author of Life grant
them wisdom in all their endeavors.
[Bishop Kagan’s statement refers to
the three pro-life bills: Senate Bill 2305 (SB2305) will protect women having abortions
by requiring that abortion physicians have admitting privileges at a local hospital;
House Bill 1305 (HB 1305) prohibits abortions for sex selection or genetic abnormality;
House Bill 1456 (HB 1456) prohibits abortions after the detection of a fetal heartbeat.]