DEACON FOR LIFE

Were there to be no support in the whole history of ethical and moral thought, were there no acknowledged confirmation from medical science, were the history of legal opinion to the contrary, we would still have to conclude on the basis of God's Holy Word that the unborn child is a person in the sight of God. He is protected by the sanctity of life graciously given to each individual by the Creator, Who alone places His image upon man and grants them any right to life which they have.

Tuesday, September 28, 2021

40 Days For Life: DAY 7: The Texas Heartbeat Act

The Texas Heartbeat Act took effect in the Lone Star State this month.

The new law prohibits abortion once an unborn baby's heartbeat can be detected...and it's already having a tangible impact at 40 Days for Life vigil sites throughout Texas.

"Two abortion-minded women came to us after their baby was protected through the Texas Heartbeat Act," wrote Theresa, the 40 Days for Life leader in Houston. "One is happy to have her baby now. One...has not confirmed she wants to carry but has been told by an abortionist that she legally cannot get an abortion."

That mom is getting medical assistance from a pro-life doctor. If she ultimately keeps her baby, it would make her the 9th mom to choose life--in one day at the Houston vigil site.

The Texas Heartbeat Act is generating headlines around the world.

But what is it? How does it work? And will it survive a multitude of legal challenges?

Recently, 40 Days for Life General Counsel Matt Britton joined The 40 Days for Life Podcast to break it all down. Tune in for Matt's hope-filled analysis by visiting:

40daysforlife.com/texas-heartbeat-act-end-abortion

Dallas, Texas

Annette in Dallas reported a baby spared from abortion the first hour of the vigil!

"A young woman and her grandmother stopped to talk to one of the sidewalk counselors in front of Planned Parenthood in South Dallas," Annette said. "After a few minutes of conversation, all three agreed that she should keep her baby!"

By the end of a six-hour shift on the sidewalk, that same sidewalk counselor saved another baby by sharing resources available to help the family with two born children.

"She knew in her heart that she didn’t want to abort her baby," Annette continued. "She just felt alone and desperate."

Syracuse, New York

Prayer warriors in New York face a dramatically different legislative environment compared with Texas...

...but their enthusiasm is not diminished. "Our opening prayer service was beautiful," wrote Jeanie, the longtime leader in Syracuse. "These incredible faith-filled warriors are some of the kindest people you'll ever meet."

Jeanie said two pastors led participants in prayer...plus, a priest who was ordained 71 years ago closed the event by praying from his car.

"We are expecting miracles," Jeanie said. "Come, Holy Spirit!"

The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed.

—Luke 4:18-19

Lord, send us to the poorest, the most broken, the most captive, the most blind and the most oppressed in the world, the innocent pre-born children in their mothers' wombs that are scheduled for destruction. Help us to bring them healing, liberty, sight and justice through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.

See today's full devotional

For life,

Shawn Carney
President/CEO, 40 Days for Life

40 Days for Life 4112 E 29th St. Bryan, Texas 77802 United States (888) LIFE-316

LIFE IS SACRED

An example of the traditional magisterial teaching which indicates that it is never morally licit to intentionally kill a child through abortion in order to “save the life of its mother” comes from the teaching of Pope Pius XII:

“Every human being, even the infant in the mother's womb, has the right to life immediately from God, not from the parent or any human society or authority. Therefore, there is no man, no human authority, no science, no medical, eugenic, social, economic or moral ‘indication’ that can show or give valid juridical title for direct deliberate disposition concerning an innocent human life-which is to say, a disposition that aims at its destruction either as an end in itself or as the means of attaining another end that is perhaps in no way illicit itself. Thus, for example, to save the life of the mother is a most noble end, but the direct killing of the child as a means to this end is not licit.”