BIRMINGHAM — The General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) voted 402-74-5 to approve a statement on the post viability and later-term abortions after amended it by adding portions of a previously adopted position in 2003.
The original overture was proposed by Redstone (Pa.) Presbytery to the GA’s Health Issues Committee.
The statement affirms, “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. 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.” Churches are called upon to support women with problem pregnancies and minister to them and their families in a “community of care.”
While biblical, legal, and church statements and precedents were invoked by various speakers during the floor discussion, Karen Chakoian of Scioto Valley (Ohio) Presbytery, and a committee member, helped illustrate the nature of the question with a moving personal illustration. “I am pro-choice, but I had a fetus demise in the 20th week. I am not pro-choice post viability.”
The General Assembly took further action on matters presented by the committee, including:
–Disapproved, as recommended by the committee, a proposal from the Presbytery of Beaver-Butler (Pa.) asking that no funds of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) be used to support any advocacy either for or against abortion. The overture raised questions of whether or not Presbyterians were withholding financial support for the PC(USA) out of concern that their money would be used to finance resources, like printed materials for a denominational advocacy group, representing a position on abortion with which they did not agree, whether pro-choice or pro-life.
–Approved a report “Living Into the Body of Christ,” relating to integrating persons with disabilities into the life and leadership of churches. The original overture was recommended to the committee by the Advisory Commission on Social Witness Policy (ACSWP.)
