In 1971, in the midst of the debate over Pennsylvania’s antiquated abortion laws, the bishops of the four Pennsylvania Lutheran synods of the Lutheran Church in America issued a strong policy statement in support of abortion rights. Key phrases were:
(1) “Abortion requires a studied action by individuals that cannot be dictated by a political or religious force.”
(2) “On the basis of the evangelical ethic, a woman or couple may decide responsibly to seek an abortion.”
The “evangelical ethic” referred to in the statement meant that the decision of the individual was based on Christian faith as represented in the four Gospels, specifically the teachings of Christ.
The statement of the four bishops was conveyed to all the Lutheran congregations in the Lykens Valley area. Subsequent statements have been issued up to the present day that re-affirm the view of the Lutheran Church that abortion must be legal and available for those choosing to have it.
Pictured above are three of the four bishops who issued the statement. Left to right, Rev. Dr. William A. Janson, Rev. Dr. Wilson E. Touhsaent, and Rev. Dr. Howard McCarney .
____________________________________________
From the West Schuylkill Herald, Tower City, February 18, 1971:
LUTHERAN SYNOD PRESIDENTS ON ABORTION
The presidents [bishops] of the four Lutheran Church synods in Pennsylvania issued a joint statement calling for “individual studied action” in the current controversy over the state’s present “imperfect” abortion law.
Addressed to the membership of the Lutheran Church in America in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and sent to the 1400 LCA congregations in this state this week, the statement explains the Lutheran stance on abortion.
It is based on the LCA’s statement on “Sex, Marriage and Family” as adopted in Minneapolis in 1970. It recognizes the sanctity of human life and responsibility of the individual will and conscience in making the decisions affecting abortion.
The communication was issued by the Rev. Drs. Wilson E. Touhsaent, Howard J. McCarney, William A. Janson, and William C. Hankey, of the Northeastern, Central, Southeastern, and Western Synods respectively.
The statement in its entirety follows:
“The current controversy surrounding the issue of abortion in Pennsylvania and whether or not existing laws should be amended is one that should receive serious attention by Lutherans. The urgency to correct social injustices allowed by the inadequacies of the present law on abortion requires a studied action by individuals that cannot be dictated by a political or religious force.
“Our Christian belief recognizes the sanctity of human life, and the responsibility of the individual will and conscience in making decisions about abortion legislation relative to human behavior. This is expressed in Item 4 of the Lutheran church in American statement on sex, marriage and family adopted in 1970.
“On the basis of the evangelical ethic, a woman or couple may decide responsibly to seek an abortion. Earnest consideration should be given to the life and total health of the mother, her responsibilities to others in her family, the stage of development of the fetus, the economic and psychological stability of the home, the laws of the land, and the consequences for society as a whole.
“Persons considering abortion are encouraged to consult with their physicians and spiritual counselors. This church upholds its pastors and other responsible counselors, and persons who conscientiously make decisions about abortion.”
________________________________________________________
News article from Newspapers.com.
Corrections and additional information should be added as comments to this post.