Appeals Court reinstates part of Texas abortion law

AUSTIN--The Texas Catholic Bishops applauded Thursday’s ruling by a federal appeals court that reinstated a key part of Texas's newest abortion law, considered to be one of the strongest in the country.

This new ruling represents a huge pro-life victory. It suspends a lower court ruling issued Monday that struck down a provision within the new law that required abortionists to have admitting privileges within 30 miles of their facilities and modified another part of the law that required doctors to adhere to FDA protocols for administering the RU-486 abortifacient drug.

The state of Texas immediately appealed the decision, which paved the way for the Fifth Circuit Court’s ruling. Now, these provisions go into effect immediately. A hearing will be held in January during which the Court will decide whether to permanently strike down the lower court’s order.

The decision is an important step to reaffirming the public's right to protect both unborn lives and to ensure the health and safety of women. The Texas bishops reaffirmed their commitment to continue doing everything possible to protect a culture of life.

Two other provisions of the law–prohibiting late-term abortions after five months of pregnancy and requiring abortion facilities to meet the standards of ambulatory surgical centers--were not challenged, and therefore proceeded on Tuesday. While the Texas Catholic Conference opposes abortion, it equally values protecting and preserving the health of women, whose lives and dignity are just as precious as those destroyed by the act of abortion. Short of closing these abortion facilities, abortionists must meet the most rigorous, mandatory standards of medical inspections and regulation.

The Texas Catholic Conference is the association of the 15 Roman Catholic dioceses of the State of Texas and is the official public policy voice of the Bishops of Texas. For more information on the Texas Catholic Conference, visit www.TXCatholic.org.