Mississippi Governor issues state summons to celebrate sanctity of life

The Governor of Mississippi has declared June 2023 to be “Sanctity of Life Month”.

Tate Reeves, for the second year in a row since the overturning of Roe v Wade, is encouraging citizens to mark the month by celebrating “the Sanctity of Life from the unborn to natural death”.

In April, #WeCount – an organisation that monitors post-Roe v Wade abortion rates – estimated 32,260 fewer abortions took place in the six months following the judgment, which returned abortion law to state legislatures.

‘Image of God’

Citing Psalm 139:13-14, the Mississippi Proclamation stated: “we have a firm conviction that each life is precious and each individual is created in the image of God”.

For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. Psalm 139:13-14

In signing the document, Gov Tate committed himself to “build and sustain” a “culture that values the inherent dignity of every individual” and  “restores the wonder of life”.

All life is a gift from God, and Mississippi will always protect it.

I was proud to proclaim June as Sanctity of Life Month! pic.twitter.com/eGcYmR5cDY

— Governor Tate Reeves (@tatereeves) June 13, 2023

In April, Tate signed eight pro-life measures into law.

Legal protections

North Carolina has also joined the increasing number of US states to strengthen legal protections for the unborn.

From July, under the ‘Care for Women, Children and Families Act’, abortions will only be available for most reasons until twelve weeks, replacing the current 20-week limit.

In Montana, the ‘Dismemberment Abortion Prohibition Act’ has outlawed abortion procedures that involve “tearing apart” an unborn child over twelve weeks old.

And in Florida, medics and organisations that have a conscientious objection to procedures such as abortions cannot be forced into performing or funding them.