Presbyterians Considering Stricter Abortion Policy

The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) is considering a stiffened policy aimed at limiting abortions, describing the procedure as “an option of last resort.”

In recommendations released last week, the majority of a church committee opposed a complete ban on abortion or denial of access to it. But it said regulations are justified.

Expressing alarm at what it calls the shocking extent of abortions, the committee majority asks for churchwide commitment “to reducing the overwhelming numbers of women who choose to abort.”

Reports from both the 11-member majority and a three-member minority, which would tightly restrict abortion, go before the denomination’s national legislative assembly June 2-10 in Milwaukee.

After four years of exploring the abortion question with hearings and expert testimony around the country, the committee majority proposes a church stand declaring:

“The strong Christian presumption is that since all life is precious to God, we are to preserve and protect it. Abortion ought to be an option of last resort.”

The majority Presbyterian report calls abortion morally acceptable in cases of problem pregnancies such as those resulting from rape, incest, danger to the mother’s life or when the fetus is fatally deformed.

No other cases are specified in the acceptable category.

However, the recommendations say the church ought to “be able to maintain within its fellowship” those who “come to diverse conclusions and actions.”

The minority asks the church to declare abortion a sin before God except in cases of rape, incest, serious fetal deformity or threat to the mother’s life.