Clergy support abortion

 

Judson Memorial Church in New York, NY, the site of an organization that would help hundreds of women to get safe abortions rather than risk their lives with butchers or do-it-yourself methods.

Imagine ministers and rabbis in 38 states helping women get abortions?

Impossible?

It wasn't before Roe v. Wade.

In 1967, 21 Protestant ministers and Jewish rabbis met in the Judson Memorial Church. They formed the Clergy Consultation Service on Abortion (CCS). 

Their existence provided women with places to get safe abortion.

By the time abortion became legal in 1973, there were 3,000+ clergy who helped some 450,000 women find safe abortions. Some were local, others had to change states or countries.

Rev. Howard Moody (photo above) spoke for the group. After his first interview appeared in the 27 May 1967 New York Times giving names of the first 21 participating clergy, hundreds of women responded.

The service required an in-person interview, making referrals unavailable to women from states other than New York. CCS realized they needed chapters in other states. Some 3,000 “counselors” volunteered. 

Pretending to be pregnant Arlene Carmen (photo above), who worked for the Judson church, along with other women, visited doctors. They maintained a list of approved and non-approved doctors. They based their decisions on methods and attitudes.

The question isn't will abortion be eradicated.  The question is will women be able to control their own bodies. Women who want an abortion will find a way to get one. The other question is how safe will it be.

D-L Nelson had written Coat Hangers and Knitting Needles about abortion prior to Roe v. Wade beginning in Colonial America. It is available at http://books.google.com. www.amazon.com, www.goodreads.com