In today’s News:
A pro-life law is struck down
A Louisiana law requiring abortion doctors to have admitting privileges at nearby hospitals was struck down this morning by the U.S. Supreme Court in a 5-4 decision. Four liberal justices; Kagen, Sotomayer, Breyer and Ginsberg; ruled that the law was similar to a Texas law that was struck down in 2016. Chief Justice John Roberts joined the majority in a concurring opinion stating that while he believes the Texas ruling was incorrect, the concept of precedent requires him to uphold it in subsequent ruling. Conservative Justices Thomas, Kavanaugh, Gorsuch and Alito, all dissented. In his dissent, Alito wrote “The abortion right recognized in this court’s decisions is used like a bulldozer to flatten legal rules that stand in the way.”
Religious restrictions struck down
Friday, a federal judge ruled that New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, Attorney General Letitia James, and Mayor Bill de Blasio may not order or enforce indoor or outdoor restrictions on religious worship gatherings. Represented by the Thomas More Society, two Catholic priests from upstate New York and a trio of orthodox Jewish congregants from Brooklyn sued Cuomo, James and de Blasio for violations of their free exercise of religion and freedom of speech. Senior u.s. District Judge Gary l. Sharpe issued a preliminary injunction and said that Cuomo is wrong to limit worship services as a “matter of public safety” yet condone mass protests. In awarding the injunction, the court noted that “nonessential businesses” that enjoy a 50 percent capacity limitation are not justifiably different than houses of worship.
Concordia Seminary hold virtual event for prospective students
Prospective students and their families are invited to learn more about Concordia Seminary, St. Louis during the next steps visitation event, set for 2–4 p.m. Central time Saturday, July 11. Due to concerns about the coronavirus pandemic, the event will be held online. Designed for prospective pastoral and diaconal students who are married or who are engaged and will be married when they come to the Seminary, the event will give participants valuable information about the application process, financial aid and housing. The event also will include a panel discussion with current students and their spouses who will answer questions and provide information about campus life, local schools and transitioning to the Seminary.
Planned Parenthood names new president
After spending nearly a year as Planned Parenthood’s acting president and CEO, Alexis McGill Johnson has officially been named the abortion organization’s permanent leader. Last July, Leana Wen, an emergency room physician and the former Baltimore city health commissioner, was fired in a supposed “secret” meeting. Wen claimed it was because she had attempted to make Planned Parenthood less political, and to shift the organization’s more toward health care. Wen was summarily fired, and McGill Johnson was brought on board in her place. In an interview for Planned Parenthood, McGill Johnson claimed she knew she wanted to work in the abortion industry when she saw a pro-life billboard in New York City which read, “The most dangerous place for an African American is in the womb.”
