[Apologetics] Episcopal Priest: God Rejoices in Abortion

Wed Jun 24 19:26:14 EDT 2009

This might be a growing movement in the Episcopalian Church.  See the
article on Katherine Ragsdale.

http://thephoenix.com/Boston/News/84424-blessing-of-abortion/

From: apologetics-bounces at gathman.org
[mailto:apologetics-bounces at gathman.org] On Behalf Of Art Kelly
Sent: Wednesday, June 24, 2009 4:22 PM
To: Apologetics Group; Holly Gatling; David Mullaney; Merrie Mullaney; Jim
and Ruby Albert; Nettie Taylor; Colleen and Greg Lamberty; Lyn Collier;
Dianne Dawson
Subject: Re: [Apologetics] Episcopal Priest: God Rejoices in Abortion

Thanks, Dianne.  The Episcopal Church is so totally worthless, it is hard to
take anything they say or do seriously.

However, I never refer to an Episcopal minister as a priest.  He (or she)
does not have valid orders and is NOT a priest.  He (or she) is an Episcopal
minister and that is what he (or she) should be called.

Most Episcopalian ministers do not call themselves priests.  But even if a
few do, you should NOT use that title when referreing to them.

Art

--- On Wed, 6/24/09, Dianne Dawson <rcdianne at yahoo.com> wrote:

From: Dianne Dawson <rcdianne at yahoo.com>
Subject: [Apologetics] Episcopal Priest: God Rejoices in Abortion
To: "Apologetics Group" <apologetics at gathman.org>, "Holly Gatling"
<sccl at sclife.org>, "David Mullaney" <MayDay1 at aol.com>, "Merrie Mullaney"
<merriemullaney at aol.com>, "Jim and Ruby Albert" <jimalbert7 at hotmail.com>,
"Nettie Taylor" <jimmie at usit.net>, "Colleen and Greg Lamberty"
<glamberty at sc.rr.com>, "Lyn Collier" <lcc51 at yahoo.com>
Date: Wednesday, June 24, 2009, 1:59 PM

source:
<http://www.creativeminorityreport.com/2009/06/episcopal-priestess-god-rejoi
ces-in.html>
http://www.creativeminorityreport.com/2009/06/episcopal-priestess-god-rejoic
es-in.html

Episcopal Priest: God Rejoices in Abortion
<http://www.creativeminorityreport.com/2009/06/episcopal-priestess-god-rejoi
ces-in.html>  

<http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_uzVZA7KHnGA/SkGXooZf4KI/AAAAAAAAAz8/dzAnv6trpzI/s
1600-h/rev.+nina+churchman.jpg> Episcopalian Priest, the Rev. Nina Churchman
wrote a letter to  <http://www.episcopalchurch.org/80050_ENG_HTM.htm>
Episcopal Life Online saying that women shouldn't have to ask for
forgiveness for aborting a child. In fact, Rev. Churchman then goes one step
further and says God rejoices in the woman's choice to abort. Here's the
text in full: 

After reading the 3 June article, "Pregnancy-loss Prayers", I found the text
for Rachel's Tears online and was sickened to discover that the rite for
abortion is couched wholly in terms of sin and transgression. The Episcopal
Church, by resolution, has long held that women have the freedom to choose
an abortion. It is not considered a sin. That this new rite begins with the
words, "I seek God's forgiveness..." and includes "God rejoices that you
have come seeking God's merciful forgiveness..." is contrary to the
resolution. Women should be able to mourn the loss of an aborted fetus
without having to confess anything. God, unlike what the liturgy states,
also rejoices that women facing unplanned pregnancies have the freedom to
carefully choose the best option - birth, adoption or abortion - for
themselves and their families. No woman makes this decision lightly or
frivolously. But each needs the non-judgmental and non-coercive support of
her faith community to make the best decision for her circumstances.
The wording of this liturgy focuses solely on guilt and sin instead of the
grief and healing that may accompany a very difficult but appropriate
decision to terminate a pregnancy. If anyone is paying attention at the
General Convention, this rite should not be approved.

Firstly, the question of sin being based on resolution seems strange to me.
I wonder if before that resolution passed, did Churchman believe abortion
was a sin. I'd bet not. What if at some future date the Episcopal Church
reinstates abortion as a sin, do some people in Heaven then have to go to
Hell?

But the point the Rev. Churchman is making that God rejoices in the choice
of abortion is absurd, illogical and offensive. God creates each life.
Breathes a soul into each of us. For the Rev. Churchman to say that God
rejoices in the destruction of a baby is awful. Truly heartbreaking stuff
from an alleged follower of Christ. And further, her point that God doesn't
really differentiate between giving birth to the baby or killing the baby is
shocking.

We've seen and heard many folks over the years saying they're "personally
opposed" to abortion but don't believe it should be illegal for everyone. To
me, that doesn't make a whole lot of sense. But Churchman is not only taking
it one step further by saying she is perfectly fine with abortion, she then
says that God isn't even "personally opposed" to killing one's baby.

I fear that Rev. Churchman confuses forgiveness and understanding for
acceptance of sin. Though God may not reject outright those who have had an
abortion - that should never be confused with rejoicing in the sin. God
rejoices in repentance.

HT
<http://opinionatedcatholic.blogspot.com/2009/06/epsicopal-priestess-upset-o
ver-prayer.html> Opinionated Catholic

Like a deer that longs for running waters so my soul longs for you, O God.

Ps 42:1

-----Inline Attachment Follows-----

_______________________________________________
Apologetics mailing list
Apologetics at gathman.org
<http://us.mc564.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=Apologetics@gathman.org> 
http://bmsi.com/mailman/listinfo/apologetics

-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://gathman.org/pipermail/apologetics/attachments/20090624/8400e70e/attachment.html>