RALEIGH, NC – On September 13, 2022, the Governing Board of the North Carolina Council of Churches approved an updated resolution on Reproductive Health. The resolution references a 1970 Council resolution urging faith communities, faith leaders, physicians, and hospitals to support the right of a woman to end a “problem pregnancy” by “therapeutic abortion” (A Resolution Concerning Therapeutic Abortion, The 33rd Annual Assembly of the North Carolina Council of Churches, April 28, 1970, Greensboro, N.C.).
The North Carolina Council of Churches reaffirms this commitment from 1970 and strongly declares that reproductive choice is a healthcare decision that women should make in conversation with their trusted friends, family, and medical providers “without embarrassment, excessive cost, and unwarranted delay.” The Council stands by those words today.
The Council’s Executive Director, the Rev. Dr. Jennifer Copeland said: “It’s been over 50 years since the Council needed to speak about reproductive health, a testimony that, while imperfect, our nation did have guardrails protecting a woman’s ability to make her own health care choices. As those guardrails begin to weaken in some places, we feel we must speak again to affirm the decision making agency of women.”
Council Governing Board President, the Rev. Isaac Villegas added, “Women are in the best position, with the wisdom available in their communities, to discern what’s necessary for their well-being and their families. The laws of our society should not infringe upon the dignity of pregnant women in their healthcare decision making.”
The North Carolina Council of Churches urges voters to make their wishes known to their elected representatives in the North Carolina General Assembly. Look up your legislator here.
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Founded in 1935, the North Carolina Council of Churches enables denominations, congregations, and people of faith to impact our state on issues such as racial equity, farmworker rights, environment, LGBTQ+ rights, economic justice and development, human well-being, equality, compassion and peace, following the example and mission of Jesus Christ. The Council comprises 26 distinct judicatories from 18 denominations. Across the state, our members have over 6,200 congregations with about 1.5 million congregants. For more information about the Council’s 85-year history, visit www.ncchurches.org. To stay up to date on progressive, faith-based news, follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
Contact Person
The Rev. Dr. Jennifer Copeland
Executive Director
North Carolina Council of Churches
jennifer@ncchurches.org
(919) 828-6501 Ext. 101
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