Open Letter on Abortion

Religious Institute Releases Open Letter on Abortion: Embargoed for release until Monday, January 17, 2005, full text of the statement can be viewed at: http://www.religiousinstitute.org/Abortion_OpenLetter.pdf

As the 32nd anniversary of the Supreme Court's Roe v. Wade decision approaches on January 22nd, the struggle between pro-choice and pro-life advocates continues to polarize the country. Too often the strong, progressive religious presence in America that has supported the rights of women to make moral decisions about their pregnancies is not voiced in the coverage of this debate. Yet millions of people of faith ground their commitment to safe, legal, and accessible abortion in their moral values.

At a time when opponents of abortion rights continue to lead an offense against the Supreme Court's decision - with several national bills scheduled to be debated to limit access to abortion services - the Religious Institute on Sexual Morality, Justice, and Healing releases an Open Letter to Religious Leaders on Abortion as a Moral Decision. The statement reaffirms women's moral agency, in light of religious respect for life, scriptural teachings on abortion, the moral imperative for access, and a commitment to religious pluralism.

Developed at a colloquium of theologians sponsored by the Religious Institute and funded by the Robert Sterling Clark Foundation, the Open Letter addresses such current issues as fetal rights, adolescent access to services, and provider conscience clauses. It has been signed by leading theologians and ordained clergy from a diverse range of religious perspectives including the American Baptist, Roman Catholic, Church of the Brethren, Jewish, Presbyterian, United Methodist, and Unitarian Universalist faiths

Rev. Debra W. Haffner, director of the Religious Institute, and Rev. Dr. Larry L. Greenfield, Protestants for the Common Good, co-creators of the Open Letter, are available January 17-31 for in-person, on-air or telephone interviews.

Please contact Lisa Hanock-Jasie at 212.725.7543 or 917.687.2107(cell) or by return email at lhjasie@rcn.com. You may also contact Rev. Haffner directly at 203. 804.1148 or by email haffner@religiousinstitute.org.

The Religious Institute is an ecumenical, interfaith organization dedicated to advocating for sexual health, education, and justice in faith communities and society. More than 2300 religious leaders from more than 40 faith traditions endorse its Religious Declaration on Sexual Morality, Justice and Healing. http://www.religiousinstitute.org