PARO welcomes those who support the full range of reproductive options that ensure that every child is loved and wanted. They are committed to ensuring that the policy of the PC(USA) is articulated, understood, and preserved for future generations.
Join PHEWA and take part in this ministry.
Women’s reproductive health under attack (and so are PC(USA) reproductive health policies!)
The assault on women
It probably happened in your state in 2010 – 950 legislative measures were introduced in D.C. and 44 states related to women’s reproductive health. Of these, 89 were passed, in 32 states. Most of these related to abortion, adding more restrictions on women’s access to abortion services. With the newly elected U.S. Congress, women’s reproductive lives are on the federal docket again. Most recently, the House of Representatives passed budget legislation that eliminated Title X funding: funding for HIV testing, breast and cervical cancer testing, and birth control for low-income women. This budget includes the total defunding of Planned Parenthood, a provider of family planning clinics that serves 20 percent of U.S. women at some point in their lives. This is at a time when the World Bank ranks the United States as having the highest infant mortality rate of 33 advanced countries.
Doctor speaks emotionally of those in need of abortions
Abortion opponents don’t focus on mother, says Carhart
by Duane Sweep
Dr. Leroy Carhart, member of the board of directors of the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice (RCRC), spoke at the Presbyterians Affirming Reproductive Options Luncheon on Monday. Photo by Danny Bolin.
Minneapolis - Abortion is an emotional issue to Dr. LeRoy Carhart, member of the board of directors of the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice and one of the few late-term abortion providers in the United States.
He spoke during the Presbyterians Affirming Reproductive Options luncheon on Monday.
Carhart said the abortion debate needs to concentrate on the mother. Saying that the “mind of the mother determines when life begins,” Carhart added that when the issue of abortion arises, “I’m asking you, please, let it be the mother.”
PARO Report on Reproductive Issues at the 2010 General Assembly
by Dr. Gloria Albrecht, member of the PARO Leadership Team
The 2010 PARO G.A. Luncheon proudly hosted Dr. LeRoy Carhart, an abortion provider and one of the few who performs late-term abortions. Dr. Carhart spoke eloquently, and compassionately, about the tangled and often tragic contexts in which women of diverse ages, economic conditions, religions, races and ethnicities come seeking a termination of their pregnancy. He spoke while being guarded by two armed security officers — the price of the increasingly violent actions of some of those who call themselves “pro-life.” He spoke of the continuing attempts at the state level to erode and ultimately eliminate women’s reproductive rights. In his view, this is a serious campaign to restore patriarchal control over women. He urged all present to join in resisting these threats to women’s health, lives, and freedoms. Dr. Carhart entitled his address, "Fighting back! Passing pro-woman, pro-choice legislation to reclaim the moral high ground on reproductive rights."
PARO fact sheets
PARO members are present at every General Assembly to interpret our denomination’s moderately pro-choice position — a position our church has maintained for more than 30 years. PARO informational sheets follow, about overtures before this year’s General Assembly. We encourage you to read them and note the recommendations at the end.
PARO Fact Sheet on Item 16-03 — regarding baptism of children
PARO Fact Sheet on Items 19-03 and 19-04 — on making a statement regarding violence against pregnant women and on taking a stand against forced and coerced abortions
My Sisters' Keeper
A Message from Reverend Dr. Carlton W. Veazey, President and CEO, Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice
My Sisters’ Keeper is a Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice (RCRC) initiative, working with Presbyterians and other people of faith to educate and advocate for increased U.S. support for family planning and reproductive health services globally.
What does pro-choice really mean?
By Sylvia Thorson-Smith
Pro-choice—for choice. So simple and yet so complex.
The most basic definition for pro-choice,and the one offered by Webster’s dictionary, is “favoring the legalization of abortion,” which is clearly what was meant when the term was first used in the mid-1970s. Following the Roe v.Wade decision by the Supreme Court in 1973, the legality of abortion was challenged and increasingly debated. Pro-choice became the common self-description of people who supported the Court’s legalization. Since then, the term has come to describe those who support the right of women to make decisions about the full range of options regarding their reproductive lives.
Prayerfully Supporting Women and the Choices They Make
Problem Pregnancies and Abortion
The 204th General Assembly (1992) Response to The Report of the Special Committee on Problem Pregnancies and Abortion (Majority Report)
The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) has worked for years to address the diverse opinions concerning individuals and families who face problem pregnancies and the question of abortion. In an effort to be an agent of healing in the life of our denomination, a diverse special committee was formed and composed a majority report, “Problem Pregnancies and Abortion,” that was adopted by the 204th (1992) General Assembly and has remained Presbyterian policy for 15 years.
Theological Principles
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Reproductive Options
This material is from “Problem Pregnancies and Abortion,” pages 4-10 (a report received and approved by the 204th General Assembly [1992]). Our Presbyterian Understanding of Scripture
The unique and authoritative witness we have for the revelation of God in Jesus Christ is Scripture … Scripture is not a book of formulas, of directions in a mechanical sense. It is a book of history, of poetry, of letters, of stories, and in the midst of these forms are commandments and teachings
Reproductive health information: Separating fact from fiction
Myths are common in the often heated discussions around reproductive health. PARO is dedicating this space to exploring those myths. Check back often to see additional myths "busted."
Myth: The number of abortions could be reduced by making abortion illegal.
Myth: When teens have true faith in Jesus they do not need sex education.
Myth: The Bible is clear in its opposition to abortion.
Myth: Women who have an abortion are more likely to have emotional problems.