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US Presbyterian Church Gropes Towards More Pro-Life Position

by Hilary White

LOUISVILLE, June 6, 2006 (LifeSiteNews.com) - Since 1983, the US Presbyterian Church (PCUSA) has officially endorsed abortion as a "moral choice" for mothers, but has been slowly groping its way forward to a more pro-life position.

A recent proposal from Presbyterians in Pennsylvania suggests that the next General Assembly adopt as policy: "In cases where problems of life or health of the mother arise in a pregnancy, the church supports efforts to protect the life and health of both the mother and the baby. When late term pregnancies must be terminated, we urge decisions intended to deliver the baby alive."

In 1992 the General Assembly moved away from support for abortion on demand, and adopted the position that, while still a possible "moral choice" abortion ought to be restricted and considered a "last resort." The church rejected abortion for sex-selection and said that adoption was a "preferable" choice. It also ventured that partial-birth abortion was "a matter of grave moral concern."

A PCUSA official backgrounder says the church offers a "relief of conscience" plan in which the Medical Plan dues paid by employers conscientiously opposed to abortion are set apart so they cannot be used to pay for abortions.

In the light of medical advances such as 3-D ultrasound technology, which pro-life advocates say shows beyond a doubt that the unborn child is a fully human individual, Church members have begun to consider the moral challenge of "post-viability" abortion.

The 2003 General Assembly gave four circumstances under which PCUSA considers abortion to be a "possible moral option": "when necessary to save the life of the woman; to preserve the woman's health in circumstances of a serious risk; to avoid fetal suffering as a result of untreatable life-threatening medical anomalies; and in cases of incest or rape."

Pro-life observers will note that these exceptions leave little room for real restrictions and ignore the fundamental issue of the humanity of the unborn child. The 'health of the mother' clause was the excuse used by former President Bill Clinton to veto proposed bans on partial birth abortion and has been interpreted so broadly by courts and medical associations as to constitute de facto abortion on demand.

Further, the stipulation allowing abortion in cases of "fetal suffering as a result of untreatable life-threatening medical anomalies," is medical parlance for the practice of active eugenics. Disability rights and other pro-life organizations have pointed out that the elimination of the disabled on the grounds of suffering is the standard cry not only of promoters of eugenic abortions but for the legalization of euthanasia.

The PCUSA's movement towards a more pro-life position continues this year with more proposals centred on the rights of the child to be considered human and valuable.

This year's General Assembly, being held later this month in Birmingham Alabama, will consider proposals to remove exceptions for rape and incest as well as the eugenic option. A similar proposal in 2004 was defeated by just four votes.

Another proposal calls for the 217th General Assembly to "affirm that the lives of viable unborn babies - those well-developed enough to survive outside the womb if delivered - ought to be preserved and cared for and not aborted."

The church will also be considering a report, issued in September 2005, discussing the issue of ordination of sexually active gays and lesbians.

Those interested in expressing their concerns may contact:

General Assembly Council
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
100 Witherspoon Street
Louisville, Kentucky 40202-1396
 
Dial (888) 728-7228 then 1 plus the extension number.
FAX (502) 569-8080
TDD (800) 833-5955

 

 

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