Following the U.S. Supreme Court’s recent Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization decision, which overturned Roe v. Wade, abortion policy decisions are now being made at the state level. With many states already moving to ban abortion in some cases or ease abortion restrictions in others, the N.C. General Assembly begins its legislative session with abortion legislation near the top of its agenda.
North Carolina currently allows abortion within the first 20 weeks of pregnancy and after 20 weeks in cases of a health emergency. Democratic leaders have said they will work to maintain access to abortion and according to the Raleigh News & Observer, every Democrat in the North Carolina General Assembly has signed on to sponsor a bill that would codify Roe v. Wade abortion protections.
Republican leaders are considering sponsoring both a “heartbeat bill,” which would ban abortion after a fetal heartbeat is detected (around 6 weeks’ gestation) and an alternative proposal that would restrict abortion at 13 weeks’ gestation.
According to state health data, approximately 85% of abortions in the state take place before 13 weeks. Recent data also suggests that with neighboring states passing more restrictive laws, North Carolina is becoming a “destination state” for those seeking abortions.
How You Can Help
Bishop Zarama has urged everyone in the Diocese of Raleigh to join with him in praying for wisdom and humility as we work to create a culture that respects and reveres life and the dignity of the human person.
As lawmakers consider amending abortion laws in our state, parishioners can find their legislators online at www.ncleg.gov/FindYourLegislators and urge them to support additional protections for NC’s unborn children, including a “heartbeat bill,” and also to expand support for pregnant mothers and NC families.
Parishioners are also encouraged to support ministries such as the Gabriel Project, Project Rachel and Be Not Afraid, which minister to mothers in crisis pregnancies, those in need of healing following an abortion or those who receive a poor prenatal diagnosis.