TN Rep Moves to Ban Forced Abortions, New Bishop Ordained in China, PA Medicaid Begins Covering Abortion - 7/24/26

A Tennessee congressman moves to ban forced abortions, and a new bishop is ordained in China. I'm Josh Mercer with your Morning LOOPcast. Republican Representative Annie Ogles of Tennessee announced yesterday he is introducing legislation barring federal courts from enforcing surrogacy contract provisions that force a woman to abort a child she is carrying. CatholicVote President and CEO Kelsey Reinhart said the proposal, known as Preventing Forced Abortions Act, would protect vulnerable women and unborn children from being treated as a means to an end.

A new Catholic bishop was ordained this week in China under the Vatican's controversial agreement with Beijing. Pope Leo appointed Bishop Joseph Chang Yangfang to lead the Diocese of Qifang, making him the fourth Chinese bishop ordained or officially recognized during the current papacy. His ordination comes as critics warn that underground Catholics continue to face persecution and increasing state control over religious practices. Pennsylvania's Medicaid program has begun covering abortions this month after a divided state court struck down a decades-old pro-life funding restriction.

Republican Attorney General Dave Sundy is appealing the ruling, arguing that his office has a legal duty to defend state law. The Pennsylvania Supreme Court has agreed to hear the case, but taxpayer-funded abortion will remain available in Pennsylvania while the legal battle continues. Today is the Feast of St. Charbel Makloff, a Lebanese Maronite priest and monk of St. Charbel Makloff. Who spent the final decades of his life as a hermit devoted to prayer, penance, and the Eucharist? Go to zeal.co for the rest of today's loop, and while you're at it, subscribe to get the loop in your inbox every morning. Again, that's zeal.co.