Many of my friends around the country have written impassioned articles and blogs on Roe V. Wade. Some of those articles are victorious and triumphant. Either these pastors themselves, or the churches they represent, have fought hard for the rights of the unborn for fifty years. To them this is victory, and they feel God is on their side. Some other articles are sorrowful, sad, almost despairing. Either these pastors themselves, or the churches they represent, have been advocates for women’s healthcare rights for many years. To them this an erasure of what they have fought so hard to protect, but they feel God is on their side. The more I read these blogs, the more I need to be reminded that the truth is often found in the middle. I don’t believe that all people who defend the rights of the unborn are only pro-birth and not truly pro-life. I believe some of them might be, but I have met many deeply conservative individuals who have adopted children, are foster parents, contribute to child welfare causes, and some who are even anti the death penalty. To blanket all of them with the same label of hypocrisy is not fair to them and their beliefs. On the other hand, not all people who fight hard for the freedom of women to make health care decisions are heartless baby-killers. In fact, abortion is seldom a careless act done without much anguish, thought, and even prayer.
Now, you may want to know where I stand on this issue. For some reason I don’t quite understand, it is expected by some that the Rector of Saint Dunstan’s Episcopal Church take a stand on almost every issue. Invariably, I get a text, a call, or even an e-mail asking for my position every time there is a shooting, a race-conflict, or a controversial Supreme-Court decision. I often refuse, and when I do, I take a centrist approach. I refuse to demonize people on either side. I am a pastor to all. But, in case this sounds like an abdication of my responsibility, let me remind you that the Bishop Diocesan is the theologian-in-charge for the Diocese. I support what Bishop Doyle has to say about this issue, and beyond that, I leave all social commentary to those whose job it is to comment. God knows we have plenty of them. In case you have not read our Diocesan statement on this issue, please find it here: DIOCESAN STATEMENT.
Lastly, if this issue is important to you and you would like to have a private conversation about it, please call on me. I am here to listen and to pray with you.
May our God continue to bless you,
Fr. Roman+