Commissioners reject study regarding life issues By Paula R. Kincaid The Layman Online Sunday, June 23, 2002 214th General Assembly Columbus, Ohio June 15-22, 2002 COLUMBUS, Ohio -- The 214th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (USA) has rejected an overture requesting a special committee to conduct a study of the Christian and Reformed view of human life in relation to the practices of euthanasia, assisted suicide, abortion and infanticide. Mary-Ruth Marshall, chairperson of the Committee on Health and Social Issues, said the recommendation of disapproval was because the intent of the overture was fulfilled by a commissioner's resolution approved by last year's assembly. A substitute motion, that called on the "Presbyterian Health Education and Welfare Association and the Presbyterian Pro-Life organization to work together to develop a strategy that would support a woman's right to choose life. Such a strategy might include adoption services, job training, pre-natal care, and nutritional supplements. This strategy, with a proposal for funding, will be presented to the 215th GA for consideration," and several amendments adding pro-choice wording to the motion, was disapproved by the assembly. The maker of the substitute motion said he was a pro-life advocate, but had spent time with some pro-choice supporters while at the assembly. "I learned that pro-choice does not always mean pro-abortion. We agreed that we could support a woman's right to choose life. … we have spent years walking away from each other as we have been fighting over abortion. This motion helps us to take a step toward each other." Theological student advisory delegate MaryAnn McKibben Dana of Columbia Seminary was against the substitute motion, saying her quibble was with the words, "'a woman's right to choose life.' … If we assume they are going to choose life, that is not affirming a woman's right to choose. … the language of supporting a woman's right to choose life takes away from the woman's choice." The Rev. James Freeman of Arkansas Presbytery spoke in favor of the substitute motion, saying, "if this is a conversation that can take place and can bear good fruit for the life of the PCUSA, why not? This may be a rare opportunity to find some neutral ground and engender faith and trust that could carry forward into a new acceptance."

Respond to this article

2002 General Assembly news index Home · News · PLC Publications · The Presbyterian Layman Online Reviews · Archives · History of the Lay Committee · Feedback · Links