By L.A. Williams
Christian Action League
October 6, 2023
Days after a federal judge issued an injunction against two parts of North Carolina’s new abortion law, the Rev. Mark Creech, executive director of the Christian Action League, reminded CAL supporters to continue to pray for the battle for life.
“In this challenging time, pro-life advocates need to stand firm and continue to engage in constructive dialogue to uphold the sanctity of life. But there is nothing – absolutely nothing – more effective that we can do than pray,” Creech said.
His comments came after U.S. District Court Judge Catherine Eagles on Saturday ruled against one provision in the law that would require that surgical abortions after 12 weeks be performed in a hospital and another that would make doctors rule out an ectopic pregnancy before offering a medication abortion.
The remainder of the Care for Women, Children and Families Act, which restricts most abortions after 12 weeks, went into effect this summer.
Tami Fitzgerald, executive director of the North Carolina Values Coalition, reminded pro-life supporters that the bulk of the law is intact and that even the federal court ruling is subject to appeal.
“Notably, the pro-abortion lobby opposes every single safety protection for women they claim to champion. They oppose in-person counseling and true informed consent. They oppose waiting periods. They oppose annual clinic certification. They oppose a doctor’s examination and in-person oversight of the woman when she takes the first abortion pill,” Fitzgerald said. “All these provisions remain in effect in North Carolina.”
“Although we did not succeed in protecting babies after six weeks, the law moved the limit on abortions from 20 weeks to 12. It also prohibits eugenics-style abortions and requires that assistance be provided to a child who survives abortion,” she added.
The Rev. Creech said he would have preferred a limit at six weeks, but lobbied for the current law nonetheless.
“The bill crafted by state lawmakers was the best we were going to get, and I certainly agreed with its provisions. It is disheartening to see a federal judge issue an injunction against two critical components of this law,” Creech said. “These injunctions hinder the protection of unborn lives and the well-being of expectant mothers.”
Creech said the decision to limit abortion to 12 weeks was made to safeguard maternal health, to save as many unborn lives as possible, and to promote responsible medical practices.
“I unapologetically suggest an abortion is not a responsible medical practice,” he said.
In the most recent court case, which pitted Planned Parenthood and Duke Health’s Dr. Beverly Gray against “defendent-intervenors” House Speaker Tim Moore (R-Cleveland) and Senate Leader Phil Berger (R-Rockingham), Judge Eagle ruled that the requirement for doctors to document an intrauterine pregnancy before giving the abortion pill was unconstitutionally vague, and that lawmakers had presented no medical evidence that abortions in hospitals are safer than those performed in a clinic.
But Erik Baptist, senior counsel for Alliance Defending Freedom, which defended the new law, described the provisions as “common-sense protections.”
“We will consider all legal options to further support North Carolina’s unborn children and mothers and the right of the General Assembly to protect its vulnerable citizens,” Baptist told the media.
Creech said that the Christian Action League will continue to support measures that prioritize the lives of the unborn and the safety of pregnant women.
“We are totally committed to defending the principles we believe in and advocating for policies that protect the most vulnerable among us,” he said.
