The US Supreme Court has overturned the historic Roe V Wade ruling, meaning abortion is no longer considered a constitutional right in the United States of America. Introduced in early 1973, Roe V Wade meant individual states could no longer ban abortion - it was legal for every woman across the country.  Now that the ruling has been overturned, it's believed around half of the US states will ban the procedure.

Speaking to Fox News, evangelical pastor Rev Franklin Graham said: "The United States Supreme Court just announced one of the most significant rulings in my lifetime - officially voting to overturn the 1973 Roe v Wade decision because it was 'egregiously wrong from the start,' as stated by Justice Samuel Alito."

Addressing followers on Twitter, Rick Warren of Saddleback Church: "The Supreme Court has overturned ROE v WADE ending the federal support of abortion! Millions of unborn Americans say thank you!"

Alliance Defending Freedom - a non-profit legal organisation that has often spoken out against abortion - reflected on the ruling in 1973, saying: "That decision fabricated a federal constitutional right to abortion and has resulted in the deaths of more than 60 million unborn children. States may now fully protect innocent, unborn life.

Pastor Jentezen Franklin echoed the remarks made by other church leaders, saying:  "This is a remarkable answer to the prayers of millions of people for decades.  "I honestly never dreamed in my lifetime I would see this happen. We do not gloat or dare say anything but praise to our God for this courageous and just decision by the Supreme Court.  Now we must support, love and demonstrate God's grace and goodness to would-be mothers and the precious children this decision has rescued."

J.John, evangelist, speaker and author, said: Whilst we celebrate this news, let’s be known as a Church that steps up and supports mothers and families who are in need. Most of us will know someone who has been impacted by abortion and this is an opportunity for us to extend the love of Jesus to them. Babies matter. Women matter. Families matter."

Reverend Raphael Warnock, who supports abortion laws, said: "I'm outraged by the Supreme Court's decision. As a pro-choice pastor, I’ll never back down from this fight. Women must be able to make their own health care decisions, not politicians."

The Vatican's Academy for Life praised the U.S. Supreme Court's decision on abortion, saying it challenged the world to reflect on life issues, but also called for social changes to help women keep their children.

"The fact that a large country with a long democratic tradition has changed its position on this issue also challenges the whole world," the academy said in a statement.

"This also means ensuring adequate sexual education, guaranteeing health care accessible to all and preparing legislative measures to protect the family and motherhood, overcoming existing inequalities.

"We need solid assistance to mothers, couples and the unborn child that involve the whole community, encouraging the possibility for mothers in difficulty to carry on with the pregnancy and to entrust the child to those who can guarantee the child’s growth."

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Pray:

That God will continue to mobilise the church to meet young mothers and fathers in their moment of need, that the Church will we be a shining light and a beacon of hope to the fearful and broken-hearted.

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God (2 Corinthians 1:3-4).