Virginia abortion trial begins

Several abortion providers and pro-abortion entities, including Falls Church Medical Center, LLC and Virginia League Planned Parenthood, have sued the commonwealth for regulations that “pose a substantial obstacle to the availability of abortion services for Virginia women, in violation of the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.” The case, Falls Church Medical Center, LCC v. Oliver, began May 20. The trial is expected to last for three weeks.

Last week, Judge Henry Hudson reversed his May 6 pre-trial summary judgment decision that would have allowed non-doctors to perform abortions. A full trial will now rule on that issue among others.

“(This case) is a challenge to almost every pro-life law in Virginia because if the state is not allowed to pass a law that so clearly is designed for a women's safety, then every other law regarding the practice of abortion could be challenged and overturned,” said Olivia Gans-Turner, president of the Virginia Society for Human Life. “The U.S. Supreme Court has recognized the rights of the states to pass protective laws and Virginia's laws fall clearly under these rulings.”

In a May 15 statement, the Virginia Catholic Conference, lobbying arm of the Virginia bishops, wrote, “We continue to hope that the common-sense health and safety regulations enacted by the Virginia General Assembly to protect women in our state will not be struck down. We urge Catholics and all people of good will to remain prayerful and engaged in the face of the extreme abortion agenda being imposed on our commonwealth.”