Here’s a roundup of the latest pro-life and abortion-related news in the United States:

Here’s a roundup of the latest pro-life and abortion-related news in the United States:

Bishops speak out on abortion ballot measures

Archbishop Mitchell Rozanski will lead the Archdiocese of St. Louis’ prayer Nov. 3 to “defeat Missouri Amendment 3,” a ballot measure this would create a “fundamental right to reproductive freedom.” The archbishop is expected to celebrate a special mass at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis at noon Sunday, followed by a holy hour. He encouraged Catholics to pray and fast in the days leading up to the election, and the archdiocese is offering other prayer opportunities for the week.

In Nebraska, the only state where competing ballot measures are pro-life and pro-abortion, Archbishop George Lucas of Omaha on Wednesday urged Catholics to vote for pro-life measures. He recently gave a video on October 30 statement urging Catholics to vote against Initiative 439 and in favor of Initiative 434.

Lucas called Initiative 434 “an important step toward ensuring the health and safety of women and their babies.” He encouraged Catholic parishes to ensure that any woman facing an unexpected pregnancy “can be connected to the resources they need” regardless of the election outcome.

Louisiana Sued Over Abortion Pill Controlled Substances Act

A group of health care providers is suing Louisiana over its recent law classifying abortion pills as “controlled dangerous substances” and requiring them to be stored in a secure area within hospitals. In state court trial Thursday by Birthmark Doula Collective, a doctor, a pharmacist and two women argued that the classification creates delays during medical emergencies.

The two drugs used in the abortion pill regimen, mifepristone and misoprostol, are often used in non-abortion medical treatments, the lawsuit notes. For example, misoprostol treats miscarriages and postpartum hemorrhage, while mifepristone is often used in the treatment of miscarriages and for Cushing’s syndrome, the lawsuit notes. Controlled substances must be stored in secure areas within the hospital, which the lawsuit says delays access to the drug. Louisiana has one of the highest maternal mortality rates in the country, the lawsuit points out.

Three states recently continued the United States Food and Drug Administration after rescinding its safety rules. Louisiana state law protects unborn babies from abortion unless there is a threat to the mother’s life or fetal abnormality.

Catholic hospital in California agrees to offer abortions

A Catholic hospital in California agreed to offer emergency abortions when there is a risk to the mother’s health following a lawsuit against the hospital filed by California Attorney General Rob Bonta. The lawsuit alleged that Providence St. Joseph Hospital denied emergency care to a pregnant woman whose water broke prematurely at 15 weeks, a violation of several California state laws, according to Bonta.

Although Providence St. Joseph did not admit fault in the lawsuit, the hospital agreed Temporarily allow doctors to perform abortions in cases of serious threats to the mother’s health, in accordance with California law. According to a statement by Bonta, California’s Emergency Services Act (ESL) requires California hospitals to perform emergency abortions when necessary for a patient’s health.

Catholic hospitals ‘never allowed’ to perform abortions, US bishop says Ethical and Religious Guidelines for Catholic Health Services.

The U.S. bishops’ directive allows non-abortive treatments that may indirectly endanger the unborn child in certain serious circumstances, such as treatments intended to cure a woman of an illness that may unintentionally harm the child. The directive also allows other treatments, such as induction of labor once the fetus is viable “for a proportionate reason”.

Santa Rosa Diocese Bishop Robert Vasa referred CNA to the hospital for comment. Providence did not respond to a request for comment at the time of publication.