FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Statement Regarding U.S. Supreme Court Decision
in the case of Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization
Overturning Roe v. Wade
June 25, 2022: As we look across social media there are many reactions to the decision by the Supreme Court on the Dobbs case. There are also many opinions.
We recognize that the decision today is both wounding and triggering for many women and men in our churches – those who have and have not been party to abortions. Know of our love and care for you. In the midst of so much turmoil, this is yet another very hard day among a long list of hard days.
It is not our place to comment on the Supreme Court itself. Instead, we are charged with speaking from an Episcopal Church perspective.
The Episcopal Church statements in 1967 include: “The beginning of new human life, because it is a gift of the power of God's love for his people, and thereby sacred, should not and must not be undertaken unadvisedly or lightly.” The statement goes on to say it expresses its unequivocal opposition to any legislation on the part of the national or state governments which would abridge or deny the right of individuals to reach informed decisions in this matter and to act upon them. This remains true today.
Such a statement may be news to some of you, and for others it has been a long-lived pastoral way of caring for all our people. Why? Because in poor parishes and in wealthy parishes, in all kinds of communities across our diocese, we have people who have wrestled personally with these decisions. Access to women’s health care, and the difficulty of abortion, is not an abstract question for ministers. We have yet to meet one of them, and we have counseled with many, who did so always feeling the burden of faith. This is real daily pastoral ministry.
We believe God loves all women regardless of decisions they have or have not made. God loves them all, unequivocally, and our work has been to share the Good News of God’s love and salvation with them in each circumstance. This is the Gospel Truth, and as an Episcopal Church, we have chosen a practical and pastoral approach to the question of abortion.
We have been and we continue to be clear: that a priest be consulted at times of making decisions around abortion. We continue to believe that it is important to seek other options, if possible. This is out of our deep pastoral concern for those involved in difficult decisions. As we have for over 50 years, we will continue to hold a pastoral approach.
We cannot back away from the fact that we, as a church, believe that abortion is an individual moral decision tied to circumstance and context. Our task as clergy is to minister in this moment. We must remember that our Episcopal statements draw us to a higher plane of discourse - a pastorally sensitive one.
We fear that there are many political and rights questions yet to be settled in this country – as the justices have made clear they intend to take up other topics. Political division continues to suggest the same. We do not believe that we have heard the end of the public abortion debate and other culture war and politically-motivated issues.
God now calls us to enter a new day that is substantially changed from the last 50 years. We are given a charge to rise to the challenge, pray for the Holy Spirit to guide us, and step forward in faith - serving all who come to us, and evangelizing the world with the Good News of God in Christ Jesus, who loves the world and did not come to judge it. (John 3:17)
As The Bishops of the Diocese of Texas you may expect us to continue to support our church’s pastoral and caring statements along with its mission.
The. Rt. Rev. C. Andrew Doyle, IX Bishop of Texas
The. Rt. Rev. Kathryn M. Ryan, Bishop Suffragan
The. Rt. Rev. Jeff Fisher, Bishop Suffragan
The church has also been part of providing and advocating for health for all people, children and adults. In 2018, we clarified that we,
- Support legislation that creates equal utilization of health care for those in equal need, regardless of ability to pay, and reject reasons for unequal use as well as strategies that promote unequal access to health care;
- Advocate for everyone to have the right to make decisions about their bodies and those decisions should be between themselves and their provider;
- Ensure equal access to every health care service, regardless of gender, that adequate government funding and support for research and development, prevention and treatment in matters affecting the health and quality of life of women, including domestic violence, AIDS, heart disease, breast, ovarian and endometrial cancer, safe and effective contraceptives, and other methods of pregnancy prevention, maternity care, menopause and chronic illnesses unique to or prevalent among women; and
- Ensure health care is equal in coverage and cost regardless of gender.
