“The ruling by the United States District Court for the District of Maryland is a clear victory for Baltimore’s pro-life pregnancy centers, for pregnant women in crisis pregnancies who look to these centers for assistance so they can carry their babies to term, and for First Amendment principles we treasure as Americans,” Archbishop Lori said.
“This Court has once again undertaken a careful and thorough review of Baltimore City’s unfair ordinance and properly concluded that it would stifle the religious liberty and free speech of pro-life pregnancy centers.
“I am grateful to all who worked to ensure the successful outcome of this case, including my predecessor, Cardinal Edwin O’Brien, who helped to lead the fight against this onerous law, and stood up for the charitable, life-affirming work of crisis pregnancy centers in Baltimore. I also thank and commend the Center for Pregnancy Concerns for its good work in protecting the physical, emotional, and spiritual lives of women and their unborn children.
“It is hoped that today’s ruling will mark an end to any effort by the City to compel private citizens, such as those who work and volunteer in pregnancy centers, to convey a government-mandated message.”
The Center for Pregnancy Concerns provides free services to 1,200 pregnant women in Baltimore City annually, and handles approximately 8,000 calls to their 24-hour hotline.