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Catholic bishops, Pulse Life Advocates celebrate Iowa Supreme Court decision

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June 28th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) -0 Iowa’s Catholic bishops say they celebrate that the Iowa Supreme Court has recognized there’s no right to an abortion in the Iowa Constitution. Their written statement was issued this (Friday) morning, shortly after the Iowa Supreme Court issued a ruling that lifts an injunction that had blocked a six week abortion ban from taking effect in Iowa. Bishop William Joensen of the Des Moines Catholic Diocese spoke last weekend at a rally to celebrate the U-S Supreme Court decision that overturned Roe v Wade.

“As much as we heralded the Dobbs decision, we know how it has exposed an underlying attachment in our American culture to that option to procure an abortion, at least under limited circumstances,” Joensen said. “We know a legal sea change of this magnitude does not automatically correlate with changes in hearts and minds and attitudes.” The written statement from Joensen and the other bishops says human life should be protected under our laws to the greatest extent possible. Joensen suggests the next step is banning in vitro fertilization.

“Nobody knows how many human embryos dwell in dark, cold storage tanks, though estimates range from 500,000 to millions and they would make it certainly at least one of the 30 largest cities in America,” Joensen says. “The fact is only a tiny minority will see the light of day.” Maggie DeWitte, executive director of Pulse Life Advocates is also a spokeswoman for the Iowa Coalition of Pro-Life leaders. She calls the six week ban is a life saving measure.

Iowa Judicial Branch Bldg.

“This is a monumental win for Iowa women, for Iowa families, for babies,” DeWitte said. DeWitte says she’s been lobbying for abortion restrictions in Iowa for 25 years and it’s hard to put the magnitude of today’s (Friday) ruling into words.