Texas' Catholic bishops are disappointed at the federal district court's recent  ruling that the state's sonogram law is unconstitutional.

Especially troubling was the ruling's apparent pitting of a doctor's claims to free speech against a woman's right to comprehensive medical information before consenting to an irrevocable medical procedure affecting her and her unborn child.  The Sonogram Law accords with common standards of informed medical consent for even minor medical procedures.  Prior to the Sonogram Law, mothers seldom underwent a thorough medical consultation with a doctor--much less made use of the benefits of the latest sonogram technologies--before making the painful decision to abort their child.  The intent of the Sonogram Law continues to be to inform a mother completely about the life in her womb in order to reconsider her decision to end that life.

The TCC applauds state officials' intent to appeal the ruling, and fully anticipates that the decision will be overturned by the appellate court.

The Texas Catholic Conference is the official public policy voice of the Catholic Bishops of Texas. The primary purpose of the Conference is to encourage and foster cooperation and communication among the dioceses and the ministries of the Catholic Church in Texas.