FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Diocese of Green Bay reacts to Wisconsin Supreme Court striking down the 1849 Abortion Law in the Kaul vs. Urmanski decision
GREEN BAY, Wis. (July 2, 2025) – The Diocese of Green Bay issues the following statement on the Kaul vs. Urmanski decision:
Today, the Wisconsin Supreme Court issued a ruling that strikes down the state’s 1849 law banning abortion.
The conclusion of the court was as follows:
“…this case is about giving effect to 50 years’ worth of laws passed by the legislature about virtually every aspect of abortion including where, when, and how health-care providers may lawfully perform abortions. The legislature, as the peoples’ representatives, remains free to change the laws with respect to abortion in the future. But the only way to give effect to what the legislature has actually done over the last 50 years is to conclude that it impliedly repealed the 19th century near-total ban on abortion, and that § 940.15(1) therefore does not prohibit abortion in the State of Wisconsin.”
The decision affirms the lower court judgement, making abortion legal in Wisconsin.
“It is with deep sadness that I reflect this morning on the Wisconsin Supreme Courts’ ruling striking down the state abortion ban,” said Bishop David L. Ricken. “Wisconsin’s 1849 statute reflects a deeply held belief in the sanctity of life and a commitment to protecting our most vulnerable. We must continue to pray for and work with those mothers and fathers in crisis and provide options like adoption and parenting and family strengthening support programs that fosters an environment that chooses life.”
The 1849 statute, which had been dormant for decades under Roe v. Wade, was reactivated after the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2022 Dobbs decision. The court’s ruling now restores access to abortion services throughout Wisconsin.
“Abortion is not the answer to a difficult or challenging pregnancy – as a state we can do better,” said Bishop Ricken.
For further information about women’s health resources that support Catholic teaching, please visit https://catholiccharitiesgb.org/our-services/human-dignity-and-life/ or call Catholic Charities Human Dignity & Life Advocate at 920-272-8321.
Who we are: As friends and followers of Jesus, the Catholic Diocese of Green Bay is devoted to fostering households and communities of discipleship through the mission and ministry of the Catholic Church. We are missionary disciples striving to lead all people to the Kingdom of God. Established in 1868, the diocese is composed of 256,000 Catholics in 16 counties: Brown, Calumet, Door, Florence, Forest, Kewaunee, Langlade, Manitowoc, Marinette, Menominee, Oconto, Outagamie, Shawano, Waupaca, Waushara and Winnebago.
Contact: Justine Lodl, director of communications, at 920-272-8213 or jlodl@gbdioc.org.
St. Norbert College expands Catholic high school scholarship
DE PERE, WI — St. Norbert College (SNC) will now award a total of $8,000 over four years to all incoming students who graduate from any Catholic high school.
The new program builds on SNC’s tradition of supporting students from local Catholic high schools and reflects the college’s Norbertine values of community, service and access to education, SNC’s website said.
In addition to the academic merit scholarships and specialty merit scholarships offered at SNC, the Catholic high school scholarship is automatically awarded to qualifying students upon admission. No separate application is required.
For more information about scholarships and how to apply to St. Norbert College, visit snc.edu/admission.