Maine groups react to high court’s abortion ruling

AUGUSTA – Some Maine groups are expressing alarm over the U.S. Supreme Court’s 5-4 decision on abortion, which they say chips away at reproductive rights women have had for decades.

But others say Maine lawmakers should keep the ruling in mind when they consider an upcoming abortion funding bill, and Maine’s Roman Catholic bishop said he was “encouraged.”

The justices said the Partial Birth Abortion Ban Act that Congress passed and President Bush signed into law in 2003 does not violate a woman’s constitutional right to an abortion.

The Maine Civil Liberties Union joined the American Civil Liberties Union and the National Abortion Federation in criticizing the ruling, saying it goes against the views of Mainers, who defeated a similar abortion ban in a 1999 referendum.

“Politicians in Washington and now the court have defied common sense by placing political considerations over women’s health,” said Shenna Bellows, executive director of the Maine Civil Liberties Union.

Sarah Standiford, executive director of the Maine Women’s Lobby, said the ruling flies in the face of court precedent.

“It is clear that Justice [Samuel] Alito’s replacement of retired Justice Sandra Day O’Connor made the biggest difference in turning the court away from its prior protection of women’s health,” Standiford said.

Bishop Richard Malone of the Portland Diocese said he was “very encouraged with the decision” but added, “We have a long way yet to go.”

“It is a step in reasserting the sanctity of human life at one of its most vulnerable stages,” said Malone. “I pray that this decision might stir the consciences of our people to deeper, more active promotion of the defense of human life.”

Also applauding Wednesday’s ruling was the Christian Civic League of Maine.

“We are pleased that the Supreme Court upheld America’s ban on this particularly egregious form of infanticide,” League Director Michael Heath said. He called the procedure known as partial birth abortion “completely unnecessary and desperately horrific.”

“I have always felt it is beyond belief that our nation could allow this practice,” said Heath.

He said political leaders in Maine “should take a cue” from the Supreme Court as an abortion funding bill comes up for review. The Legislature’s Health and Human Services Committee has scheduled a hearing for April 26 on a bill to provide $283,000 a year for the next two years in financial assistance to eligible women for abortion services.