The Catholic Spirit: Court strikes down five laws limiting immediate access to abortion in Minnesota

A district court judge struck down five laws July 11 limiting immediate access to abortion in Minnesota, a decision criticized by the Minnesota Catholic Conference as putting the health and safety of abortion-seeking pregnant women at greater risk.

“The recent ruling in the Doe v. Minnesota case is disappointing,” said Maggee Becker, policy associate for MCC, which represents the public policy priorities of Minnesota’s Catholic bishops, in a written statement.

“This decision by a solitary judge to strike down vital safeguards such as the parental notification and the 24-hour waiting period, puts the health and safety of pregnant mothers who are seeking an abortion at greater risk. Women deserve better and to be equipped with knowledge about their growing baby and the procedure, she said. “We expect Minnesota’s attorney general to do his duty to defend these and other safeguards that have been passed with bipartisan support through the legislative process.”

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In his ruling, Gilligan blocked enforcement of a 24-hour waiting period for an abortion after consulting a doctor, informed consent, and a requirement that only physicians perform abortions. Gilligan also found unconstitutional a two-parent notification mandate for patients under 18 seeking an abortion and a law requiring that abortions after the first trimester be performed in a hospital.

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