Repeal of Massachusetts new late-term abortion law likely to go before voters in 2028

The repeal of a new state law in Massachusetts allowing for the aborting of a baby at any gestational point, including late-term, is likely to be put before voters in 2028.

Pro-life advocates have reportedly collected nearly 100,000 voter signatures in the state to challenge the new law and put the issue back on the ballot. This is almost double the minimum signatures required.

Once these signatures are confirmed, the law would also be temporarily stopped from taking effect next month — unless the Massachusetts Governor, Maura Healey, chooses to attach an ‘emergency preamble’ that would override the freeze and cause the law to come into effect, regardless.

Last month, several organisations such as Massachusetts Citizens for Life (MCFL), Massachusetts Family Action, Democrats for Life of American and others banded together to form the Compassionate Care Coalition which sought to oppose the law Gov. Healey signed in the summer — a law which would add Massachusetts to the list of US states with no gestational limit on abortion.

The law effectively removes all restrictions on late term abortion up to birth. While abortion advocates within the state claim that late term abortions are rare, they still argue that those looking to abort their unborn children in the third trimester should have the right to do so.

Democrat Rep. Lindsay Sabadosa, who sponsored the bill, has stood behind this legislation and stated that voting it in is the “right” and “compassionate” thing to do.

Massachusetts four Catholic bishops have all openly opposed the law in a joint statement, calling the bill a “radical measure which is gravely immoral.” One of the four bishops, Bishop William D. Byrne has supported the plans of the Compassionate Care Coalition from the start, and has said he is “not surprised” that they managed to gather nearly double the required signatures.

“I am very excited and not surprised that we succeeded beyond people’s expectations,” the Bishop has said. “We collected so many signatures all across the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, but the people of western Massachusetts and the Diocese of Springfield really came out to support life. I am so grateful to God for this invitation that people responded to, to protect life, especially the unborn”.

“Truth paves the road of possibility”

Myra Maloney Flynn, president of Massachusetts Citizens for Life (MCFL) and vice chair of the Compassionate Care Coalition, has been inspiring and motivating others with her statements on their recent successful efforts. “When it seems impossible to reach and serve vulnerable, hurting women, remember that the truth paves the road of possibility,” she has said. “If you ever think you’re powerless when it comes to protecting the unborn, think again”, she added.

Sam Miele, chairman of the Compassionate Care Coalition and director of Massachusetts Family Action, has stated that no one’s rights are being “taken away” with these efforts to stop the bill, and that it is simple the collective belief of the organisations that a baby “has the right to be born”, and deserves “a chance at life”.

Final certification of the signatures collected via the petition remains pending with the Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth.

Take away message for all pro-life activists

What the hard work of these defenders of the unborn in Massachusetts shows is that pro-abortion policies and laws only remain unchallenged and unchanged when we let them be. It is easy to feel defeated when looking at the state of the world in relation to basic respect for human life. To see the most vulnerable and innocent among us, discarded like waste is heartbreaking and soul destroying. But we cannot let it be the end. We must keep fighting against this culture of death. All it takes for change to happen is for enough people to truly want it, and to not give up. Life will win.