Episcopalian Priest, the Rev. Nina Churchman wrote a letter to 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.
Pic from Midwest Conservative Journal
June 24, 2009 at 4:43 am
It is too bad stupid isn't a sin. Or maybe, that's God's infinite mercy for all of us.
June 24, 2009 at 10:13 am
Is it just me, or did someone put a bunch of crazy sandwiches in the Episcopal Church's picnic basket?
June 24, 2009 at 11:34 am
It is just too absurd. But then people will try anything to see if anything plausible spins off. For now, all I can see is the lack of rationality and sanity.
June 24, 2009 at 12:16 pm
Oh, those crazy Episcopalians!! What will they think of next?!?
June 24, 2009 at 1:18 pm
'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.'
"God, also rejoices that countries facing war have the freedom to carefully choose the best option – treaty, accord or war – for themselves and their allies. No country makes this decision lightly or frivolously."
How can abortion be a just war? [Pres] Obama uses the same rhetoric. I just did a short analysis of three of his speeches on my blog here.
"But I feel that the greatest destroyer of peace today is abortion, because it is a war against the child – a direct killing of the innocent child – murder by the mother herself. And if we accept that a mother can kill even her own child, how can we tell other people not to kill one another?" -Mother Theresa
Also note the poster says, "Roe 2008: 35 years of freedom". I think they should get Roe to come and talk at their rally. (Have you seen "I was wrong" yet? Ms. McCorvey (Roe) doesn't think it has been 35 years of freedom.)
June 24, 2009 at 1:42 pm
Nina Churchman's comments are utterly Satanic. I have no idea of the state of this lady's soul, but for her sake I pray that a statement like hers is evidence of a deep mental problem. As for the Episcopalian Church, its progressive wing has long ago been devoid of any relation to Judeo-Christian morality and faith.
June 24, 2009 at 1:47 pm
Didn't you get the memo? Nothing is a sin anymore. The purpose of the church is to make parishioners feel good, no matter how evil their actions.
June 24, 2009 at 1:59 pm
If Ms. Churchman spent any time at all protesting/counseling at abortion clinics she would know that many of these women (often read young teenage girls) and their boyfriends DO make uninformed abortion decisions very frivolously.
June 24, 2009 at 2:19 pm
"You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you will do. He was a liar from the beginning, and he stood not in the truth; because truth is not in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own; for he is a liar, and the father thereof." John 8:44
Ms. Churchman=a daughter of Satan. Satan is leading the Episcopal Church. Ms. Churchman should say the truth—SATAN rejoices when women have abortions.
June 24, 2009 at 2:42 pm
May the Lord have mercy on her for this teaching and all who follow it.
Mary, Mother of God, pray for us.
June 24, 2009 at 2:42 pm
The Bible Geek, Mark Hart from Lifeteen has a good response to this using this Sunday's readings. It is simply that God rejoices in life, and not death. Death is brought about by man.
June 24, 2009 at 3:55 pm
Rev Churchman sez:
"Women should be able to mourn the loss of an aborted fetus without having to confess anything."
If it isn't a sin, what's to mourn??
June 24, 2009 at 3:55 pm
+JMJ
…Lord Jesus, Thou did warned us about FALSE prophets…!
this "priest", she need prayers…so that the Power of the Holy Spirit sever her from all evils, devil which satan influences…for what she has now on other poor souls who are searching for Holy Spirit Gifts !!!
..do not judge her, have pity on her and pray for Mercy of GOD !
June 24, 2009 at 4:32 pm
Lady, you're wrong, and you do NOT believe in the Risen Christ. As one who knows about these things, I have realized that abortion, like suicide, stems from despair and a lack of faith in God's ability to turn all things to good for those who love him. This is NOT an attitude to be encouraged by the church or any community of true believers. Get the behind me, Satan.
June 24, 2009 at 5:00 pm
"Woe to those who call evil 'good' and good 'evil.'" – Is. 5:20
June 24, 2009 at 6:11 pm
If God commanded, "Thou shalt not kill.", why will He rejoice if His commands are disobeyed?
June 24, 2009 at 6:13 pm
After reading this, my first question is what 10 Commandments does she read? Last time I looked there was a commandment that states "Thou Shalt Not Kill". With that being the case, how could God rejoice in the killing of a baby. Maybe Rev. Churchman should spend more time reading her Bible than to give speeches in favor of abortion. Boy do we need to pray!
June 24, 2009 at 6:51 pm
This is wrong on so many levels. Although if the Piskies had anything close to dogma, the priestess would be correct; if abortion is not a sin, then no need for forgiveness or repentence. On the one hand, I am happy there is a church for pro-homosexual-lifestyle, women's ordination, pro-abortion type people, and I wish more people who felt irreconcileable with Catholic teaching on these issues would just leave our church for one which would welcome them. But on the other hand this whole article just gives me yet another level of contempt for the church of King Henry VIII.
June 24, 2009 at 7:18 pm
Sure killing your child is not a sin, when I am tired of my teen I will just rip them apart and throw them in a dumpster! yes nothing matters we can kill kill and kill!
June 24, 2009 at 7:38 pm
My mouth is still hanging open. I just can't believe this woman can be called a priest. I'm offended by that. No priest in their right mind would ever tell a woman that she didn't need to confess an abortion. It is this behavior, this untruthful, evil, satanic behavior, by this "priest" that confuses Americans and makes the Church and religion look bad. The truth is is that sin exists. God says so. It doesn't matter if you're Catholic or Baptist or Protestant, sin exists. We may measure it differently, but sin exists. I just can't imagine another religious leader saying it isn't a sin. I just can't imagine it. I wonder what other Episcopal "priests" say about her comments. Is this something that the entire Episcopal community is standing by? This is truly outrageous. God help us.