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June 25, 2013
Christopher Dodson, Executive Director of the North Dakota Catholic Conference, issued this statement in response to the decision by the Red River Women’s Clinic to file a lawsuit against the state’s ban on abortions for sex-selection or genetic defect and the prohibition on abortions after the presence of a fetal heartbeat:
Although it comes as no surprise, it is still disappointing that the Red River Women’s Clinic, through a New York-based pro-abortion rights law firm, would use the federal courts to thwart science, justice, and the will of the people of North Dakota.
It is especially appalling that the state’s only abortion center is seeking legal license to abort children solely because of their gender or genetic traits. House Bill 1305 passed the North Dakota legislature with overwhelming bipartisan support because the womb is no place for fatal acts of discrimination. Advocates for the disabled and women should join in condemning the clinic’s actions.
With HB 1456, which prohibits most abortions after the detection of a fetal heartbeat, the people of North Dakota sent a message that the courts should no longer ignore science when it comes to abortion jurisprudence. North Dakota, like the many other states that have recently enacted restrictions on abortion, wants to move human progress forward. The courts should not force us to continue to adhere to an outdated and ultimately unjust view of human life.
We call on Catholics and all people of good will to pray for a just resolution of these cases.