Washington, D.C. Newsroom, Jul 1, 2024 / 16:30 pm
The Catholic Church in Iowa is celebrating a decision by the state Supreme Court that found abortion is “not a fundamental right under the Iowa Constitution,” allowing a pro-life “heartbeat” law to take effect.
The narrow 4-3 decision, issued in Planned Parenthood v. Iowa on June 28, reversed a lower court’s temporary blockage of the law. This means that the measure, which protects unborn life from abortion starting at the point at which a fetal heartbeat is detectable, will soon go into effect.
Commending the ruling, Iowa’s bishops said: “For us, this is a question of the common good and human dignity. Human life is precious and should be protected in our laws to the greatest extent possible.”
A state district court blocked the heartbeat law shortly after its passage in 2023. The district court ruled the measure was likely unconstitutional because it imposed an “undue burden” on abortion.