RELIGION HEADLINES FRI 4-18-25

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(SRN NEWS) – The Wyoming Supreme Court heard arguments on an abortion ban this week.  The justices wanted to hear the lawyers explain who should decide when life begins.  Wyoming Assistant Attorney General Jay Jerde (JER-dee) said the state legislature, since it is “closest to the people.”  Attorney Peter Modlin, who represents abortion advocates, argued that the question is fundamentally religious and that the government has no business deciding it at all.  A ruling by the Wyoming high court is expected some time later this year.

Missouri’s Republican-led House has advanced a proposed constitutional amendment asking voters to repeal the abortion amendment they narrowly approved last year, and instead ban most abortions with exceptions for rape and incest.  The proposal won initial House approval by a vote of 94-to-50, with House Speaker Jon Patterson among just two Republicans siding with Democrats in opposition.  Next the legislation must go to the Missouri Senate.  If it is approved there, it would be placed on a future state ballot.

The nation’s more than 9,000 Catholic employers do not need to abide by federal regulations requiring accommodations for workers who seek abortions, according to a ruling issued this week by a federal judge in North Dakota.  The Catholic Benefits Association and the Bismarck Diocese filed a lawsuit last year challenging the Biden administration’s EEOC regulations on implementing the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act.  The Biden administration interpreted that pro-life law to include abortion.  The Catholic groups argued that this violated their religious rights.

The Trump administration is suing Maine’s education department for not complying with its order that males be banned from playing against females in school sports.  The lawsuit announced by Attorney General Pam Bondi escalates a dispute over whether the state is abiding by a federal law that bars discrimination in education based on sex.  The lawsuit follows weeks of feuding between the Republican administration and Democratic Governor Janet Mills that has led to threats to cut off federal funding.  Meanwhile, other states have passed laws to keep boys off girls teams.