Abortion is NOT a Blessing

I got another reminder this evening why my painful decision to leave the Anglican Church 7 years ago and join the Catholic Church was the right thing to do. Whatever fault someone might find in the Catholic Church, you won't find this kind of heresy there. The Rev Katherine Hancock Ragsdale has just been named Dean of the Episcopal Divinity School in Cambridge. A few years ago she gave a pep talk to abortion advocates saying:

Too often even those who support us can be heard talking about abortion as a tragedy. Let’s be very clear about this: When a woman finds herself pregnant due to violence and chooses an abortion, it is the violence that is the tragedy; the abortion is a blessing. . .

And when a woman becomes pregnant within a loving, supportive, respectful relationship; has every option open to her; decides she does not wish to bear a child; and has access to a safe, affordable abortion – there is not a tragedy in sight — only blessing. The ability to enjoy God’s good gift of sexuality without compromising one’s education, life’s work, or ability to put to use God’s gifts and call is simply blessing.

These are the two things I want you, please, to remember – abortion is a blessing and our work is not done. Let me hear you say it:

Abortion is a blessing and our work is not done.

Abortion is a blessing and our work is not done.

Abortion is a blessing and our work is not done.

I want to thank all of you who protect this blessing – who do this work every day: the health care providers, doctors, nurses, technicians, receptionists, who put your lives on the line to care for others (you are heroes — in my eyes, you are saints); the escorts and the activists; the lobbyists and the clinic defenders; all of you. You’re engaged in holy work.

Yikes! As sickening as I find this message, I find it interesting. Obviously the most notable thing is the simply states abortion isn't a tragedy but rather a blessing. She doesn't bother to refute those who say it's tragic/wrong/evil because it kills an unborn child. She just makes her statement and moves on.

I can imagine being an abortion advocate sitting there listening, having long ago forgotten that the unborn child is human. I can see how someone could get themselves right wound up into a quasi religious frenzy. That's why I'm glad my Church teaches that faith and reason are essential to each other. This is a prime example how 'faith' separated from logic and reason will quickly disintegrate into mere emotionalism - and that can lead to some really wacky ideas.