Final regulations for the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act will grant workers protections for time off and other job accommodations for pregnancy-related medical conditions like miscarriage, stillbirth and lactation — but also for abortion, which was opposed by many of the bill’s supporters.
Respect Life
New York’s highest court hears Catholic-led challenge to state abortion mandate
The fight by religious groups against New York state’s abortion mandate — requiring most private insurance plans to cover abortion — went to the state’s highest court April 16.
Court allows Idaho to temporarily ban some hormones, surgeries for transgender minors
The Supreme Court temporarily allowed Idaho April 15 to enforce a ban on certain types of medical or surgical gender reassignment procedures for minors who identify as transgender.
Pressure for abortion liberalization sparks Catholic protests in Europe
Tens of thousands of Poles have joined church-backed street protests after legislators pressed ahead with plans to liberalize abortion in the traditionally Catholic country.
‘Blessed by Cancer’ social media evangelist, mother of 4 dies leaving powerful witness
Through the ups and downs of her illness, the Catholic wife and mother of four shared her story with her nearly 50,000 followers on social media using the powerful handle blessed_by_cancer.
Report: Children ‘let down’ by a lack of research on use of puberty blockers
A landmark report published April 10 in the United Kingdom said children had been “let down” by a lack of research on the use of puberty blockers.
U.S. bishops’ pro-life chair: ‘Dignitas Infinita’ speaks truth in love with ‘clarity’
A new Vatican declaration on human dignity presents “clarity” in charity, amid “so much confusion,” the chair of the U.S. bishops’ pro-life committee told OSV News.
Virginia governor vetoes, approves abortion-related measures
Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s office announced April 5 that among more than 100 pieces of legislation considered by the Republican governor, he had vetoed and approved a number of bills related to abortion.
Trump attacks pro-life critics after video arguing abortion must be left to the states
After announcing his position that abortion should be left to the states to legislate, former President Donald Trump attacked pro-life critics of that position on his social media platform.
Everyone has the same human dignity no matter what, cardinal says
The Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith’s document on human dignity highlights Pope Francis’ decade-long insistence that every human being — independent of their circumstances, stage of development or state of sin — possesses infinite and inalienable dignity that must be respected and protected, said the dicastery’s prefect.
U.S. Catholic pastoral leaders welcome Vatican document on human dignity
A number of Catholic pastoral leaders in the U.S. are applauding a new Vatican declaration on human dignity for its specific treatment of several key — and contentious — issues.
Trump says abortion should be left to states, disappointing pro-life advocates
Former President Donald Trump, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, issued a video statement April 8 arguing abortion should be left to individual states to legislate and declining to back federal restrictions sought by pro-life activists.