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Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Contact: Tim Palmer
(914) 438-4127
palmer@religiousinstitute.org
1,100 CLERGY AFFIRM ACCESS TO ABORTION
AS SENATORS CONSIDER NEW RESTRICTIONS IN HEALTH REFORM
Westport, CT, Sept. 30, 2009 -- More than 1,100 clergy and religious professionals nationwide have endorsed the Open Letter to Religious Leaders on Abortion as Moral Decision, upholding "the religious foundations for affirming abortion as a morally justifiable decision." The Religious Institute announced the endorsements as the U.S. Senate prepares to consider amendments to health reform legislation that would threaten coverage for abortion services in private insurance plans that receive federal funding.
"Already, federal policy unfairly prevents low-income women and federal employees from receiving subsidized reproductive health services, but the new proposals would mean that even more women and families would lose access to these vital services," said Rev. Debra W. Haffner, executive director of the Religious Institute. "Placing restrictions on private insurance plans that make abortion accessible to women represents a serious moral injustice."
Clergy from a range of religious denominations, including the American Baptist Church, Church of the Brethren, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Jewish Reconstructionist Federation, Presbyterian Church (USA), Unitarian Universalist Association, United Church of Christ, United Methodist Church and United Synagogue for Conservative Judaism have endorsed the Open Letter, which affirms women's moral agency, respect for life and the moral imperative of ensuring access to affordable reproductive health services.
"We affirm women as moral agents who have the capacity, right and responsibility to make the decision as to whether or not abortion is justified in their specific circumstances," the letter says. "The sanctity of human life is best upheld when we assure that it is not created carelessly. It is precisely because life and parenthood are so precious that no woman should be coerced to carry a pregnancy to term."
The Open Letter calls on government leaders to respect religious difference on the question of abortion. It states: "Women must have the right to apply or reject the principles of their own faith without legal restrictions. We oppose any attempt to make specific religious doctrine concerning abortion the law for all Americans or for the women of the world."
The Open Letter is available to read, download and endorse at www.religiousinstitute.org.
The Religious Institute, based in Westport, CT, is a nonprofit, multifaith organization dedicated to advocating for sexual health, education and justice in faith communities and society. More than 4,800 clergy and religious leaders, representing more than 50 faith traditions, are part of the Religious Institute's national network.
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Among the more than 1,100 signatories of the Open Letter to Religious Leaders on Abortion as a Moral Decision are:
Fr. Dr. Luis Barrios, Chair of Latin American and Latina/o Studies, John Jay College of Criminal Justice - CUNY; Rev. Dr. Rita Nakashima Brock, Director, Faith Voices for the Common Good; Rev. Dr. Ignacio Castuera, National Chaplain, Planned Parenthood Federation of America; Rev. Steve Clapp, President, Christian Community; Rabbi Dan Ehrenkrantz, President, Reconstructionist Rabbinical College; Rev. Dr. Yvette Flunder, Bishop, The Fellowship; The Rev. Dr. Paula Gravelle, Chair, Clergy Action Board; Rev. Dr. Larry Greenfield, Executive Minister, American Baptist Churches of Metro Chicago; Dr. Mary E. Hunt, Co-Director, Women's Alliance for Theology, Ethics and Ritual; Rabbi Steven B. Jacobs, Founder, Progressive Faith Foundation; Frances Kissling, Former President, Catholics for Choice; Rabbi Peter Knobel, Former President, Central Conference of American Rabbis; Debra Kolodny, Executive Director, ALEPH: Alliance for Jewish Renewal; Rev. Peter Laarman, Executive Director, Progressive Christians Uniting; Rev. Dr. Ken Langston, Director, Disciples Justice Action Network; Rabbi Michael Lerner, Chair, Network of Spiritual Progressives; Rev. Dr. Pamela Lightsey, Dean, Garrett Evangelical Theological Seminary; Rev. Michael Livingston, Executive Director, International Council of Community Churches; Rev. Barry Lynn, Executive Director, Americans United for the Separation of Church and State; Rev. Dr. Deborah Mullen, Director, Center for African American Ministry and Black Church Studies, McCormick Theological Seminary; Dr. Sylvia Rhue, Interim Executive Director, National Black Justice Coalition; Rev. William Sinkford, Former President, Unitarian Universalist Association; Rabbi Mychal Springer, Associate Dean, Jewish Theological Seminary; Rev. Dr. William Stayton, Professor of Sexuality and Religion, Morehouse School of Medicine; Rabbi Dr. David Teutsch, Director, Center for Jewish Ethics, Reconstructionist Rabbinical College; Rev. Dr. Emilie Townes, Associate Dean, Yale Divinity School; Rabbi Arthur Waskow, President, The Shalom Center; Rev. Dr. Traci West, Professor of Ethics and African American Studies, Drew University Theological School; Rev. Elder Nancy Wilson, Moderator, Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches
