As minister, I support the repeal of the ban on abortion

I was very sad at the conclusion of the 2019 legislative session when the New Mexico Senate failed to repeal the old law on the books that made abortion a crime, and even more disappointed to see so many other states passing laws criminalizing providers and women.

Should the U.S. Supreme Court overturn Roe v. Wade in the near future, a pregnant woman’s choices will be limited greatly — the 1969 (state) abortion ban will allow a panel of doctors to decide for a woman regardless of her own beliefs, moral code and conscience.

Before Roe v. Wade, women died of selfinduced or illegal back alley abortions. In 1965 alone, 17% of all pregnancy-related deaths were due to illegal abortions. These are just the reported numbers; the actual numbers are certainly much higher.

In 1967, the Rev. Howard Moody of Judson Memorial Church in New York City, along with social justice activist Arlene Carmen, founded the Clergy Consultation Service on Abortion. At the start, 21 ministers and rabbis were involved.

I heard about the formation of the CCS in 1970 shortly after joining First Presbyterian Church of Richardson, Texas, as their associate pastor. Rev. Howard Moody came and talked with us about how to set up the service, and we got underway. About 20-25 ministers committed to serve.

But we knew we were taking a risk. We were choosing to defy man’s law in order to adhere to a higher law. In Texas in 1970, the charge for aiding and abetting an illegal abortion was a $1,000 fine and up to a year in prison. One rabbi in Chicago had his files seized by the FBI. A minister in Ohio was arrested and tried for illegally aiding a woman in obtaining an abortion.

According to a 1971 CCS report, during the first three years, we referred nearly 100,000 women nationwide. By the time of Roe v. Wade in 1973, over 2,000 clergy were involved, and with the legalization of abortion in New York state, we estimated we may have reached nearly a quarter of a million women.

I never judged women for the reasons they gave for needing an abortion. Instead, I trusted their judgment and helped them find a safe place to terminate their pregnancy.

If New Mexico’s 1969 criminal abortion ban is not repealed, New Mexico women who are pregnant and their doctors will be put at risk. I could be charged with a fourthdegree felony for referring someone to an abortion provider.

I wonder how many of those senators who voted to keep that old abortion law have supported legislation to strengthen community supports so both children and parents can thrive? I wonder if they have supported legislation to improve maternal health care, pre-natal care and contraception? It is easy to blame families and accept none of the responsibility for failing our communities.

When a woman has decided she wants to have an abortion and is then unable to get one, studies show that outcomes are worse for both her and her family. Deciding to have a child is serious, and a huge responsibility. We should not judge or shame those who decide that it isn’t the right time for them or their family.

When faced with an unwanted pregnancy, families should have all options available to them, whether that is to have an abortion, make an adoption plan or continue the pregnancy. We shouldn’t hold one option over the others. Each of these options should be safe, legal and accessible.

As a man who has been a licensed foster parent for quite a few years, who has raised a child who shares none of my DNA, and one who through my life work has taken care of hundreds of abused and neglected children, it is hard for me to consider that anyone has the right to put those restrictions on women. Women and families deserve to make their own decision about parenting, and I trust them to make it for themselves.