Roe v. Wade has overturned by the Supreme Court of the United States! I praise God and celebrate this start to the recovery of the natural right to life inherent in the unborn. The Sixth Commandment states, "You shall not murder" (Exodus, 20:13, Deuteronomy 5:17). To Be a Christian: An Anglican Catechism teaches:
Question 310: What other actions are considered murder?
Answer: Genocide, infanticide, abortion, suicide, and euthanasia are all forms of murder. Sins of murderous intent include physical and emotional abuse, abandonment, willful negligence, and wonton recklessness. (Exodus 1:15-22; 21:28-30; 2 Kings 17:16-18; Psalm 139:13-16; Amos 1:13-15; Acts 9:1-2; Didache 2.2)
The fact that the decision on Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization states that abortion is "not a right" is not a complete victory. An acknowledgment of the natural right to life for children-in utero would be. Nevertheless, it is a step in the right direction toward alignment with God's Eternal Law and puts the issue in the hands of the states.
In Ohio today Ohio Attorney General David Yost asked that the injunction against the "Heartbeat Law" (challenged on Roe v. Wade grounds) be dissolved and the law enacted.
There is legislation further legislation which has been introduced both in the Ohio Assembly and Senate to further restrict abortion (SB 123 and HB 598).
There continues to be a great deal of work for the Church to do in supporting children and young mothers and fathers. Our call is to protect the innocent and care for the vulnerable. Again our catechism states:
Question 316: How else can you obey this commandment?
Answer: As a witness to the Gospel and a follower of Christ, I can also keep this commandment by forgiving those who wrong me, patiently refraining from ungodly anger and hateful words; defending the unborn, vulnerable and oppressed; rescuing those who harm themselves, and seeking the well-being of all. (Psalm 37:5-11; Zechariah 7:8-14; Matthew 5:38-48; Ephesians 4:25-5:2; James 1:27)
All congregations in the Anglican Church in North America support life as our denomination has state this is our position.
St. Anselm is also an Anglicans for Life parish. If you would like to be part of starting a ministry to help care for the vulnerable, I have materials to help us work with local pregnancy centers and other organizations. Please let me know if you're interested now or in the future.
Today is also the Feast of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist. How providential it is the this is today's Collect.
Almighty God, by whose providence your servant John the Baptist was wonderfully born, and sent to prepare the way of your Son our Savior by preaching repentance: Make us so to follow his teaching and holy life, that we may truly repent, boldly rebuke vice, patiently suffer for the sake of truth, and proclaim the coming of Jesus Christ our Lord; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Frankly, I never thought that we would see this day. I praise God for it and suggest you offer Te Deums and Jubilates in celebration today. I also ask you to please read the following statement from the Anglican Church in North America and pray for peace.
Today the United States Supreme Court ruled that “the Constitution does not confer a right to abortion,” effectively overruling Roe v. Wade (1973). The decision will “return the issue of abortion to the people’s elected representatives … to be resolved like most important questions in our democracy: by citizens trying to persuade one another and then voting.” In the case of Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, a five Justice majority of the Supreme Court overruled both Roe and the 1992 decision Planned Parenthood v. Casey.
The inherent value of human life is revealed in the Scriptures, and this biblical commitment is reflected in the Anglican Church in North America’s Constitution and Canons which calls all members and clergy “to promote and respect the sanctity of every human life from conception to natural death” (Title II.8.3).
Archbishop Beach commented:
While this decision doesn’t end abortion in the U.S., it will lead to fewer children being killed through abortion. We thank God for this limited victory, and the Anglican Church in North America recommits itself to serving mothers so they can embrace motherhood and welcome their children. We also continue to point the way to God’s healing and forgiveness for all who suffer physically and emotionally from their abortion experiences.
The March for Life and the Summit for Life events, held in Washington DC, San Francisco, and Ottawa have been annual events in the life of the Anglican Church in North America drawing members from across the Province to learn more about the ways the Church can mobilize in support of those who are most vulnerable in our society.
Georgette Forney, a leader in the pro-life movement and the president of Anglicans For Life, said:
Anglicans for Life recognizes this decision requires the development of additional pre and post-pregnancy support and resources for women and families facing an unexpected pregnancy. Unplanned pregnancies should be met with planned resources and support, which is what Anglicans For Life has focused on in the past and will continue to emphasize, to a greater degree, in the future.
Let us give thanks to God for this decision and continue to work to safeguard and promote life at the federal, state, and local level. Let us also continue to care and minister to those who continue to suffer from the effects of abortion in their own lives.