 St Alban’s Episcopal Church Bolivar, Missouri Thursday, May 5, 2022 Abortion and the Episcopal Church  Statement from Bishop Deon Johnsonof the Diocese of Missouri(Our own bishop is on vacation in England just now, and I don’t expect her to weigh in until she returns. But this is a good statement from or neighboring bishop.) As faithful followers of Jesus Christ, united in Holy Baptism, we covenant to “strive for justice and peace among all people and respect the dignity of every human being.”This is a difficult and at times seemingly impossible task, yet it is the sacred task to which we have all been called. Over the last few days we have heard, read and seen reactions to a leaked draft opinion from the Supreme Court of the United States in regards to the landmark 1973 ruling of Row v Wade. While we do not know the final opinion on the ruling, there are mixed reactions and emotions around the possible outcome. We are all made in the image and likeness of God and we affirm that all life from conception to death, is sacred and should be afforded the dignity of belovedness. I join other Episcopal leaders, both lay and ordained, to reaffirm the Church’s commitment to oppose any “legislation on the part of the national or state government which would abridge or deny the right of individuals to reach an informed decision” around reproductive rights and heath. The struggle for women’s reproductive rights worth, and dignity, continues to be undermined and threatened by those who would deny the possibility of choice. As people of faith, we cannot stay silent. I stand with my sisters in Christ in declaring that the ability to make decisions about their bodies and their futures are theirs to make and should not be legislated. To deny the right of self-determination is to deny the very essence of dignity. I invite you to join me in praying for our nation, our lawmakers, and the judiciary as we navigate the way ahead. May Christ be our companion and our guide in the days and months ahead. The Rt Rev. Deon K Johnson,Eleventh Bishop of Missouri The General Convention of the Episcopal Church adds a twist to this that you have probably not considered. “The Church takes seriously its obligation to help form the consciences of its members concerning (life’s) sacredness. Human life, therefore, should be initiated only advisedly and in full accord with this understanding of the power to conceive and give birth which is bestowed by God.” AND – re abortion, “We therefore express our deep conviction that any proposed legislation regarding abortion must take special care to see that the individual conscience is respected, and that the responsibility of individuals to reach informed decisions in this matter is acknowledged and honored as the position of the Church.” What this means is that women are full human beings, capable of, and entrusted with, making moral, ethical and personal decisions. The Church recognizes the rights of women who are members of it to make their own moral determinations, but also the rights of women who are unbelievers or members of other religious bodies to follow their own consciences, too. And none of this requires any woman to have an abortion. The right to carry a fetus to term is also a matter of a woman’s right to choose. More“If you don’t know a handful of women who’ve had an abortion, you’re not morally righteous or statistically anomalous; you’re just not the kind of person women trust with their secrets.” Emily Porter, MD  |
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