Worldwide Communion of Catholic Apostolic Churches (WCCAC) :: View topic - South Dakota law bans nearly all abortions

Administrator · Site Admin Joined: 02 Sep 2005 Posts: 60

South Dakota law bans nearly all abortions
Legislation sets up court challenge

Monday, March 6, 2006 Posted: 2044 GMT (0444 HKT)

Gov. Mike Rounds signed the abortion law despite his predictions that it would be challenged in court.

PIERRE, South Dakota (AP) -- Gov. Mike Rounds signed legislation Monday banning nearly all abortions in South Dakota, setting up a court fight aimed at challenging the 1973 U.S. Supreme Court decision that legalized abortion.

The bill would make it a crime for doctors to perform an abortion unless the procedure was necessary to save the woman's life. It would make no exception for cases of rape or incest.

Planned Parenthood, which operates the state's only abortion clinic, in Sioux Falls, has pledged to challenge the measure in court.

Rounds issued a written statement saying he expects the law will be tied up in court for years and will not take effect unless the Supreme Court upholds it.

"In the history of the world, the true test of a civilization is how well people treat the most vulnerable and most helpless in their society. The sponsors and supporters of this bill believe that abortion is wrong because unborn children are the most vulnerable and most helpless persons in our society. I agree with them," Rounds said in the statement.

The governor declined all media requests for interviews Monday.

The Legislature passed the bill last month after supporters argued that the recent appointment of conservative justices John Roberts and Samuel Alito have made the Supreme Court more likely to overturn Roe v. Wade.

South Dakota's abortion ban is to take effect July 1, but a federal judge is likely to suspend it during a legal challenge.

Rounds has said abortion opponents already are offering money to help the state pay legal bills for the anticipated court challenge. Lawmakers said an anonymous donor has pledged $1 million to defend the ban, and the Legislature set up a special account to accept donations for legal fees.

Under the new law, doctors could get up to five years in prison for performing an illegal abortion.

Rounds previously issued a technical veto of a similar bill passed two years ago because it would have wiped out all existing restrictions on abortion while the bill was tied up for years in a court challenge.

The statement he issued Monday noted that this year's bill was written to make sure existing restrictions will be enforced during the legal battle. Current state law sets increasingly stringent restrictions on abortions as pregnancy progresses. After the 24th week, the procedure is allowed only to protect the woman's health and safety.

About 800 abortions are performed each year in South Dakota. Planned Parenthood has said other women cross state lines to reach clinics.

Copyright 2006 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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Administrator · Site Admin Joined: 02 Sep 2005 Posts: 60

My dear brothers and sisters in Christ:

Peace and Blessings!

As many of you already know, the South Dakota Legislature and it's Governor Mike Rounds have enacted a law banning all abortions, unless the procedure is necessary to save the life of the Mother.

The law is far reaching, and it will set the stage for an appeal to the Supreme Court, possibly overturning the Roe v. Wade fiasco that was imposed upon this Country by liberal minded Judges who did not take into account Constitutional Law, but their own liberal agenda.

We, Robert, Primate-Archbishop of the Catholic Apostolic National Church and the College of Bishops, congratulate and applaud the Lawmakers of South Dakota for taking these brave steps, knowing full well that they will face harsh criticism from all of the liberal factions who wish to take God and Morals out of our society.

It is not often that we see men and women of such courage and fortitude! And we praise them for their work and pray that they continue on their path.

We also pray that God instills the Supreme Court of these United States with such bravery and moral conviction, as he has with the South Dakota Lawmakers, that this travesty that has been exacted upon this Country, be finally lifted and that God may reign supreme in this land once again!

Peace and Blessings,

Robertus Mattheus

Most Reverend
Robert Matthew Gubala, DD, Ph.D.
Archbishop - Metropolitan
Primate of North America
Catholic Apostolic National Church

"All I ask of you is forever to remember me as loving you!"
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