Concerning the Action of the U.S. Supreme Court ruling on Partial Birth
Abortion in Carhart vs. Stenberg[Decided June 28,
2000]
Today the United States Supreme Court ruled on the
constitutionality of a state’s right on the issue of abortion in Carhart vs.
Stenberg. Through this act, America has closed the door to allow any state
the right to protect the life of the unborn within its boundaries. We, the
American people, have just witnessed one of the most uncivilized,
unchristian and barbaric acts ever to be carried out by a nation’s supreme
legal body. This case is known popularly by the procedure that defines the
essence of the case, and is described as Partial Birth Abortion. We, in The
International Communion of the Charismatic Episcopal Church, believe this
new precedent brings us to the point where the question must be asked, are
we civilized or are we barbarians?
The majority of Americans oppose abortion and view it as
reprehensible. Partial Birth Abortion is a most vicious act of violence
against an innocent human being, one who has no ability to defend himself.
This act is particularly heinous as the child is just moments from taking
his or her first breath.
People of faith should be outraged that our nation has become so
barbaric. It is unacceptable to silently reap the good fruit of a booming
economy and unprecedented technological advances at such costs as the
precious blood of innocent children, both born and unborn.
We, the Church of Jesus Christ, can no longer be silent! We are
obligated to proclaim the truth of the gospel which includes the protection
of the unborn and sounding an alarm for a nation that is in peril of losing
its soul. In God’s Word, His wisdom is given so clearly to us in Proverbs
21:3 "To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the LORD than
sacrifice." Many of the leaders of our nation have embraced
wholeheartedly the "Holocaust" that plagues our nation, and have placed
themselves as icons in the movement to legalize the killing of children
through abortion. Such deplorable behavior would have been unthinkable one
generation ago and be assured it will not end here. Will their next ruling
allow for unwanted children to be legally disposed of after the birth
process?
Representing the will of the American people, a bipartisan majority
of both Houses of Congress voted to ban partial birth abortion. However, the
President, by his veto of that ban, has blocked the will of people and
opened the door for this Supreme Court decision. As Patriarch of The
International Communion of the Charismatic Episcopal Church, I speak for all
bishops, priests, clergy, and laity in condemning this action to kill
innocent children, the image bearers of God. I pray that we continue to
prophetically speak out against this horror as well as continuing to offer
the unconditional love of God to a world desperately in need of grace and
mercy. May God have mercy on the United States of America!