By a vote of 4-1 today, the South Carolina Supreme Court upheld the Fetal Heartbeat and Protection from Abortion Act, declaring it constitutional. This ruling effectively makes abortion illegal upon detection of a child's heartbeat in utero.
Gov. Henry McMaster released a statement calling this an historic moment in the state's history, saying it "is the culmination of years of hard work and determination by so many in our state to ensure that the sanctity of life is protected."
Michael F. Acquilano, director of the South Carolina Catholic Conference, remarked on this important day for life.
"We are grateful that our state Supreme Court chose to uphold the dignity of all human persons, especially those who cannot speak for themselves," he said. "We will continue to work for the safety and protection of all mothers and their children, and we recommit to the Catholic Church's unwavering belief that all life is sacred — from conception to natural death."