Roe v. Wade down for the count! Issue goes to states: Reaction from Faith leaders & activists

NORTH CENTRAL OHIO– On Friday, U.S. Supreme Court sided with the State of Mississippi and overturned the 1973 Roe v. Wade court opinion. The decision in the case of Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization was written by Justice Samuel Alito and decided 6-3 with Alito, Thomas, Gorsuch, Kavanaugh, Barrett and Roberts in the majority. Five of the justices voted to overturn Roe v. Wade with Roberts in the minority.

Justice Alito wrote that Roe was “egregiously wrong” and “on a collision course with the Constitution from the day it was decided. The decision’s reasoning was exceptionally weak and has had damaging consequences.” Alito also added that the Roe decision “usurped the power to address a question of profound moral and social importance that the Constitution unequivocally leaves for the people.”

In 2020, area residents march to commemorate 48th anniversary of the Roe v. Wade court opinion. (Photo courtesy of Frontlines Ohio)

A number of area leaders from the Buckeye Bible Belt responded to the earth-shaking Roe v. Wade reversal:

Melanie Miller, Republican candidate for Ohio House District 67, Executive Director of Ashland Pregnancy Care Center: “Today is the day Pro-Life advocates have sought for decades, the day the U.S. Supreme Court protected the sanctity of innocent human life; a day for so long seemed impossible. Thanks to the efforts of millions of people across this country, this is a day worth celebrating-a day where we can finally turn the page on a dark chapter in American history and look forward to all innocent human lives being protected and valued. Our work is not done. The states now must take action to prohibit abortion once and for all. I urge Ohio legislators to pass the Human Life Protection Act so that all children can realize their God-given rights in this country. I continue to pray that our Governor and legislative leaders take action soon so we can ensure not one more life is ended through abortion.”

Activist Greg Jevnikar of Protect Life Ohio: “June 24, 2022 will go down in the annals of history as the day the United States and its Supreme Court repented. Much work remains on the state level. The Ohio Legislature must pass the Human Life Protection Act (H.B. 598 & S.B. 123) to abolish abortion. Increased support must be provided to vulnerable women. Now more than ever, The Richland Pregnancy Center and Ashland Pregnancy Care Center need our financial and physical support.”

In 2018,108 clergy hold press conference supporting sanctity of Down Syndrome babies. (Photo courtesy of Frontlines Ohio)

Reverend El Akuchie of the Richland Community Prayer Network & Mansfield City Councilman: “We want to thank the six justices who correctly determined that nowhere is abortion found in the Constitution as a guaranteed right. Roe v. Wade was never the ‘law of the land.’ The Supreme Court reversal is the first step for our nation to repent of child sacrifice. Today Planned Parenthood proceeds to have abortion quotas targeting low-income neighborhoods and continues aiding and abetting the human trafficking of young girls. While receiving millions of federal funds, Planned Parenthood continues to be the leading perpetrator of systemic racism with thirty percent of its clientele being black. I am grateful that at least now, states have a fighting chance to combat the abortion industry as the Tenth Amendment originally intended. May GOD grant Ohio the resolve.”

Pastor John Bouquet of Savannah Bethel Chapel: “This week the Supreme Court made a decision of great courage. They celebrated the author of life. Everyone decision does not agree with that decision, but this is not up for a poll vote. We are agreeing with God that life is from him and it begins in the womb. Secondly, this is a confession of the vigilance of the people who have prayed and been persistent for the cause of life for forty-nine years. This is a confirmation of the proper interpretation of the Constitution of the United States. This is a victory of what the Constitution meant to say at the very beginning, that it offers to its citizens life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Not everyone will be happy, but you are called to love your neighbor. We need to embrace this opportunity. If we are going to outlaw abortion, we must choose adoption and the taking in of foster children. If we want more children to be born like the Bible instructs us, the church better open up its arms.”

Prayer vigil at Planned Parenthood in Mansfield. (Photo courtesy of Greg Jevnikar)

Activist Sarah Cleveland, an Abolitionist: “Roe being overturned is a shock to so many. The original decision was never constitutional and sadly it took nearly five decades to correct it. I am grateful that Roe was struck down, not because this allows states to outlaw abortion, as states always had that right and duty to do even under Roe; but rather, I am grateful because a huge obstacle and idol has come crashing down. The biggest excuse that legislators had for not treating the preborn equal to the born is gone. Now we get to see who the cowards and hypocrites are who will make up new excuses for not establishing equal justice in their state. We still have much work to do, but this is certainly a big moment to celebrate.

Pastor J.C. Church of Victory in Truth Ministries: “I am thrilled, this is a victory for life. This has been a fifty-year fight, Roe v. Wade never should have never happened. Shame on the current President of the United States for saying ‘What about victims of rape and incest?’ when ninety-nine percent of abortions have absolutely nothing to do with rape and incest. Congratulations for the Catholic leaders who stood strong by refusing Nancy Pelosi from taking communion. If she came to my church, I would not give it to her either. The Bible says sweet water and bitter water cannot come from the same well. You cannot carry the sword of the Spirit in one hand and carrying a knife butchering babies in the other hand. It does not work that way. In this season, the real and fake are being separated. I believe we are on the verge of something big.”

The Bottom Line:

The Bible says in Psalm 127, “Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb is a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, so are the children of one’s youth. Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them; they shall not be ashamed, but shall speak with their enemies in the gate.”