In his reply to Mr. [John] Vanderstar, Bishop Howe said he had not initiated the board’s resolution to disassociate from the RCRC, but that he fully supported it.
“I am, frankly, deeply embarrassed that the Executive Council adopted this affiliation in the first place,” Bishop Howe said. He added that he would share the documents Mr. Vanderstar had included with his letter.
Bishop Howe noted that he is a past president and chairman of the board of the organization now known as Anglicans for Life, and he included with his letter a copy of a 1988 General Convention resolution he helped sponsor, which placed a number of conditions on when an abortion was morally permissible for a Christian. Bishop Howe noted that the resolution was abandoned by convention three years later.
[blockquote]Episcopalians hold varying political positions on the morality, legality and necessity of abortion, and … “this is a sensitive subject for many people.”[/blockquote]It is fully appropriate for very harsh language to be used since the Executive Council voted (without asking approval of GC or diocesan standing committees) to join, knowing that the above quote was true – and that those positions are very deeply held. This was one of the more significant reasons I ultimately had to leave TEC.
But, abortion is a blessing, right?
http://mirrorofjustice.blogs.com/mirrorofjustice/2009/04/abortion-is-a-blessing.html
[Comment deleted by Elf – please engage issues rather than comment on individuals]
jaroke…if it’s of any import, please know that I’m embarrassed for you.
Just to be clear, jaroke, I find your comment highly objectionable.
My goodness, #3, I can’t understand what you’re suggesting. Would you further elucidate what you mean? Do you mean you’re embarassed by a bishop who believes abortion should have some conditions placed on it for faithful Christians? Do you mean you believe the minefield which is abortion should be run through by the Executive Committee and all Episcopalians should agree and send their money to 815 to fund this organization? I would like to understand your position further.
I would recommend reading this:
[url=http://www.rhrealitycheck.org/blog/2007/12/06/abortion-as-a-moral-choice]Abortion as a Moral Choice[/url] by Rev Anne Fowler, and Episcopal Priest. She is listed on the speakers list on the RCRC web site. Instead of just being embarrassed, it left me with a sick feeling in my stomach.
There is a statement from “The Episcopal Church” on the RCRC site:
[blockquote] Episcopal Church, 1988
The Book of Common Prayer affirms that “the birth of a child is a joyous and solemn occasion in the life of a family. It is also an occasion for rejoicing in the Christian community†(p.440). As Christians we also affirm responsible family planning.
We regard all abortion as having a tragic dimension, calling for the concern and compassion of all the Christian community….
In those cases where an abortion is being considered, members of this Church are urged to seek the dictates of their consciences in prayer, to seek the advice and counsel of members of the Christian community and where appropriate the sacramental life of this Church….
We believe that legislation concerning abortions will not address the root of the problem. We therefore express our deep conviction that any proposed legislation on the part of national or state governments regarding abortions must take special care to see that individual conscience is respected and that the responsibility of individuals to reach informed decisions in this matter is acknowledged and honored….
[/blockquote]
I don’t understand how TEC’s membership in RCRC corresponds with the “tragic dimension” of abortion. The RCRC’s mission is to safeguard abortion as a constitutional right.
Bp Howe’s mistake was (arguably) to concede that there are ever any “conditions on when an abortion was morally permissible”, for a Christian or anyone else.
It is instructive to consider Prof GEM Anscombe’s argument, advanced in her paper [url=http://www.philosophy.uncc.edu/mleldrid/cmt/mmp.html]Modern Moral Philosophy[/url], that even to admit that there might be a price that could be accepted for the taking of innocent life is evidence of fundamental moral corruption.