Judge Upholds South Carolina Heartbeat Law
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May 20, 2024
Planned Parenthood’s request for preliminary injunction on the South Carolina Fetal Heartbeat and Protection From Abortion Act, a bill passed by the legislature in May 2023, was denied last Thursday by state Circuit Judge Daniel Coble. A preliminary injunction, if granted, would have rendered the bill unenforceable, and the unborn would no longer be protected after six weeks.
Planned Parenthood South Atlantic and other challengers argued that the language of the bill was not clear enough about when a heartbeat could be detected. However, Judge Coble highlighted that the intent of the bill was made known throughout the debate in the General Assembly — the bill was designed to protect life in the womb from six weeks, not nine as Planned Parenthood claims.
These legal challenges come after the state Supreme Court ruled that the law was constitutional in August 2023. The law will continue to be in effect thanks to this ruling.
The South Carolina Catholic Conference commends the circuit court for its decision, and we pray that lives will continue to be saved by this law in the future.
We pray for all who work diligently to save the unborn and their mothers from abortion each day. We also pray for abortion workers and those who advocate abortion, that their hearts may be softened by the love of Jesus, that they may realize the value of life in the womb.
May the pro-life movement continue to be guided by the words of St. Paul in his letter to the Ephesians: “Put on the armor of God so that you may be able to stand firm against the tactics of the devil. For our struggle is not with flesh and blood but with the principalities, with the powers, with the world rulers of this present darkness, with the evil spirits in the heavens” (6:11-12).
Our Lady of Guadalupe, patroness of the unborn, pray for us!