Why are KY Abortion Mills Still Open?

By Stuart Hamilton

Few pro-lifers will forget where they were and what they were doing the moment they heard on June 24, 2022 at 10:10am that Roe v Wade was overturned by the Supreme Court. Such historic moments sear themselves into the national consciousness. Abortion will no longer be imposed upon the states by federal mandate, moreover, if you live in a state like Kentucky, you already have a trigger law in place which automatically went into effect the moment the decision was handed down. KY abortion providers immediately shut down with the understanding their activities are now prosecutable offences under the law–a respite for the unborn that saved the lives of at least a hundred babies whose mothers took the closures as a sign to seek some other solution to their crisis pregnancy. Or at least that was the case for about 72 hours. So what changed? Why are abortion mills open again?

On June 30 circuit Judge Mike Perry granted a temporary restraining order against the 2019 trigger law while he considered a request for injunction from Planned Parenthood and the ACLU. Attorney General Daniel Cameron immediately filed for an appeal against the restraining order but the KY Supreme Court refused to hear the case. Judge Perry gave both legal teams until July 18th to file their cases, meanwhile Abortions will continue in the state until the judge rules on whether or not to grant the injunction. “We are deeply troubled by this ruling,” said Addia Wuchner, Executive Director of Kentucky Right to Life through a statement on their website, “because it clearly circumvents the bipartisan Human Life Protection Act that was overwhelming passed by the Kentucky State Legislature in 2019…Judge Perry by issuing this order is allowing the reinstatement of abortions at Planned Parenthood and EMW Center.”

What can you do? Ladies and gentleman, the pro-life community believes in the power of prayer. Pray and fast for both Judge Perry as he weighs this important decision as well as for our Attorney General Daniel Cameron, whose office is valiantly defending the right to life of the unborn. Next, get your friends and family to show up to the polls this November 8th to vote “Yes” for an amendment to the KY state constitution stating that a right to abortion cannot be read into our constitution. If this amendment passes there will be little legal recourse for abortion advocates. 

Lastly, join local efforts to support women in need by participating in archdiocesan programs like Walking with Moms in Need as well as supporting our local pregnancy resource centers like Little Way, who continue to be on the front line of crisis pregnancy provision. Through these and like-minded ministries, the Church can change the hearts and minds of the public who are deeply fearful and suspicious of pro-life laws and what impact they may have. There is still much work to do until the average Kentuckian simply can’t conceive of a world in which abortion is anything less than evil. Meanwhile, stay tuned to KY Right to Life, Right to Life Louisville, and the Catholic Conference of KY to stay up to date on the ever changing landscape of abortion law in KY.