wfn.org | United Methodists on abortion

[umethnews-request@ecunet.org]

"UNITED METHODIST DAILY NEWS" by SUSAN PEEK on Aug. 11, 1991 at 13:58 Eastern,
about FULL TEXT RELEASES FROM UNITED METHODIST NEWS SERVICE (2923 notes).

Note 2923 by SUSAN PEEK on April 26, 1996 at 11:44 Eastern (3220 characters).

Search: United Methodists abortion pro-choice reproductive choice

061 {2925}                                          April 25, 1996

General Conference '96

United Methodists Vote to Maintain
Participation in Pro-Choice Coalition

     DENVER (UMNS) -- Despite efforts by anti-abortion voices in
the church, United Methodism's top governing body voted 399 to 497
to defeat a "rights of the unborn" addendum to its pro-choice-
with-stipulations stance on abortion.

     Delegates to the 1996 General Conference here also voted
April 25 to continue support for the Religious Coalition for
Reproductive Choice.

     Since 1970, the church's General Conference has maintained a
pro-choice stand on abortion, while opposing the its use as birth
control or for gender selection.  But that position also has been
continuously challenged by church members who oppose abortion.

     The latest attempts to "balance" the United Methodist stand
came during deliberations here by 998 delegates from around the
world. While the legislative committee considering abortion urged
the assembly to let the current statement stand, a minority of
committee members proposed the addition of a paragraph titled
"Rights of the Unborn."

     That paragraph read in part, "While the full rights of women
must always be respected, unborn children are acknowledged to be
human beings in their own right."

     In supporting the minority recommendation, the Rev. Elizabeth
Wright of Hampton, Va., claimed that the unborn rights statement
did not conflict with the church's abortion stance.  Rather, she
said, it would "bring us full circle" in respecting the belief by
many that life begins at conception.

     Sharon Duger of Central Square, N.Y., agreed. Describing a
sonogram made during her pregnancy, she said, "I saw a child
sucking his thumb ... and I believe that life began when God
created life."

     But the argument of delegates such as Charles Pearce of
DeLand, Fla., won the day.  He pointed out that concern for unborn
children always has been part of the church's legislation (Para.
71 in the 1992 Book of Discipline declares United Methodist belief
in the "sanctity of unborn human life.")

     Pearce, a father of four adopted children, urged the church
to stop arguing over abortion and "pay more attention to the
mother that wants to have her children," and needs support.

     Delegates did approve a slight change in Para. 71.h of the
Discipline. The amended portion asks the church to nurture both
women who are "in the midst of a crisis pregnancy" and those who
give birth," as well as caring for women who choose abortion.

     The conference also denied a petition mandating that two
United Methodist agencies end their affiliation with the Religious
Coalition for Reproductive Choice. Supporters of the coalition
maintained that its programs and practices are in harmony with the
church's stand on abortion.

     The coalition -- and United Methodist support of it -- has
come under frequent criticism for what some feel is unrestricted
support of abortions.
                              #  #  #
                                            -- M. Garlinda Burton
 -0-
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

 To make suggestions or give your comments, send a note to 
 umns@ecunet.org or Susan_Peek@ecunet.org

 To unsubscribe, send the single word "unsubscribe" (no quotes)
 in a mail message to umethnews-request@ecunet.org

-----------------------------------------------------------------------