Central Florida Board Dissociates from Abortion Rights Group

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Posted on: February 20, 2009

The diocesan board of Central Florida unanimously approved a resolution to dissociate itself from The Episcopal Church’s affiliation with the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice on Feb. 19. According to the wording of the approved resolution, notice of the dissociation is to be forwarded to the next meeting of the annual convention with a recommendation that convention endorse formal dissociation from the RCRC for the diocese.

The Executive Council of The Episcopal Church approved membership in the RCRC on behalf of The Episcopal Church in January 2006. Other dioceses have already taken steps to dissociate from the RCRC.

An explanation accompanying the approved resolution states that the “Episcopalians hold varying political positions on the morality, legality and necessity of abortion and it is therefore improper that this diocese, by virtue of an action of The Executive Council of The Episcopal Church, be deemed a member of a political lobbying group whose goal is to promote abortion upon demand, for any reason and at any time.”

The resolution also noted that the aims of the RCRC conflict with previous resolutions approved by General Convention.

“While the RCRC works for abortion rights in any and all circumstances, The Episcopal Church teaches that moral discernment, on matters related to abortion is essential,” the approved resolution notes. “Resolution A054 adopted by the 1994 General Convention states: ‘We emphatically oppose abortion as a means of birth control, family planning, sex selection, or any reason of mere convenience.’”