Evangelist Franklin Graham issued a blistering rebuke of Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey after she signed legislation removing the state’s previous 24-week gestational boundary on abortion, warning that what political leaders celebrated as progress is evil in the eyes of God.
The Prioritizing Patient Access to Care Act, signed Monday, rewrites Massachusetts abortion law by removing the 24-week gestational limit and previous statutory conditions governing abortions later in pregnancy. The law gives physicians broader authority to determine when abortions can be performed after that point.
Graham responded after images showed Healey surrounded by smiling and applauding supporters at the bill signing.
“This sends a chill up my spine,” Graham wrote on Facebook. “Smiles and applause while the Democratic Massachusetts governor signs a bill to allow abortions up to birth in her state. This is murder. It’s evil.”
Graham then took direct aim at the language used to describe abortion.
“She calls abortion healthcare for women,” he wrote.
For Graham, however, this is not merely another political disagreement. It is a matter of biblical truth concerning the value of human life.
“The Bible says, ‘Woe to those who call evil good and good evil’ (Isaiah 5:20),” Graham wrote. “This governor and those cheering will one day stand before a Holy God—I don’t think they will be cheering then.”
His words cut directly to the spiritual reality we cannot ignore.
Scripture clearly and without a doubt teaches us that human beings are created in the image of God. Psalm 139 describes God forming us in the womb, while Jeremiah 1:5 declares, “Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you.”
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The unborn child is therefore not disposable. His or her value does not depend on development, health, circumstances or whether that life is wanted. Every human life bears immeasurable worth before God.
That makes the celebration surrounding the Massachusetts law particularly disturbing from a Christian perspective. What should have grieved the heart of a nation was instead greeted with smiles and applause.
Graham’s warning also reminds us that government cannot redefine morality simply by changing the law. Legislatures can declare something legal, governors can sign it and crowds can celebrate it, but none of those things determine whether it is righteous before God.
As Graham made clear, there is ultimately a higher authority before whom every governor, legislator and citizen will stand.
Massachusetts offers another clear reminder that remaining silent is not an option. We must continue speaking for those who cannot speak for themselves and defending the sanctity of human life — including life in the womb.
James Lasher, a seasoned writer and editor at Charisma Media, combines faith and storytelling with a journalism background from Otterbein University and ministry experience in Guatemala and at the LA Dream Center. A Marine Corps and Air Force veteran, he is the author of The Revelation of Jesus: A Common Man’s Commentary and a contributor to Charisma magazine. For interviews and media inquiries, please contact [email protected].
