NEWS & VIEWS
from a CATHOLIC perspective

      RICHMOND, Virginia (CWNews.com) - The 4th US Circuit Court of Appeals ruled on Thursday that Virginia's law requiring that parents be notified when their underage girl seeks an abortion is constitutional.

      The court unanimously agreed that the law, passed last year, helps parents do their duty to their children in raising them responsibly and staying involved in their lives. The law "respects the fundamental interests of responsible parents in the rearing and in the educational, moral, and religious development of their children," Judge J. Michael Luttig wrote.

      Under the law, abortionists are required to notify parents or guardians of girls 17-years-old or younger who live at home before performing an abortion. Pro-life groups hailed the decision as a victory for parents who have a constitutional right to be involved in the life-changing decisions of their minor children. Planned Parenthood of Virginia and the Center for Reproductive Law and Policy said they have not decided whether to appeal the decision to the US Supreme Court.