Today the Catholic Bishops of Texas applaud the decision of the U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals to allow the state to enforce the sonogram law giving mothers access to the ultrasound images of their unborn children’s hearts beating.

The ruling overturned a lower court's temporary order against enforcing the measure that requires doctors who perform abortions to show sonograms to patients, and describe the images and fetal heartbeat.  The Fifth Circuit's ruling leaves the original case to proceed in the lower court.

The sonogram law was a high priority for the Bishops during 82nd Texas Legislature, because they believe it helps mothers recognize the humanity of their unborn children and choose life.  Cardinal Daniel DiNardo, of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston, was an ardent supporter of the legislation and today expressed gratitude for the court's ruling.

"Providing mothers access to sonograms informs them about the risks and complications associated with abortion. These consultations save lives by educating mothers who may not realize that the child in their womb is exactly that – a unique, irreplaceable human life," DiNardo said.

Archbishop Gustavo Garcia-Siller of the Archdiocese of San Antonio  was particularly impressed by Chief Judge Edith H. Jones’ recognition of the state's legitimate interests in protecting life.

“The court today acted to protect the smallest voices of those whom God already knows, alive in their mothers’ wombs,” the Archbishop said.