RELIGION HEADLINES THR 6-12-25

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( SRN NEWS )  Montana’s Supreme Court has struck down several pro-life laws, including the state’s 20 week abortion ban.  The state high court says in the ruling that the Montana constitution includes a “right to be left alone” and to have access to abortion. The justices ruled that this right is not affected by the 2022 U.S. Supreme Court ruling that overturned Roe versus Wade.  The pro-life measures approved by Republican lawmakers in 2021 had been blocked since a judge issued a preliminary injunction against them that year.  Voters have also enshrined abortion in the Montana Constitution.

(  )  Louisiana lawmakers have approved a measure that targets out-of-state doctors and activists who prescribe, sell, or provide abortion drugs to Louisiana residents.  State law already allows women to sue doctors who perform abortions on them in the state.  This bill expands who can be sued.  It includes those out of the state, who may be responsible for an illegal abortion whether that be mailing, prescribing or “coordinating the sale of” abortion pills.  The case is at the center of an unfolding battle between liberal and conservative states over abortion.

(  )  As transgender service members face a deadline to leave the military, hundreds are taking the financial bonus to depart voluntarily.  Active duty service members have until Friday to identify themselves and begin to leave the armed forces voluntarily.  The National Guard and Reserve have until July 7th.  After that, the Pentagon will begin involuntary separations.  Those who leave on their own will get double the amount of separation pay they would normally receive and won’t have to return bonuses or college tuition costs.

(  )  Pope Leo will continue his predecessor’s controversial agreement with China that gives the Communist government veto power over the Vatican’s selection of bishops.  No other country has such an arrangement and conservative Catholics were outraged that Pope Francis gave in to China’s demand.  Pope Leo has made his first appointment of a Chinese bishop and expressed satisfaction that the decision has been approved by the Communist Party.  The Vatican calls the approval “a further fruit of the dialogue between the Holy See and the Chinese authorities.”