FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 12, 2022
Contact: Jessica Felix Romero | jromero@sojo.net
Sojourners Statement on Leaked Roe Opinion:
Bolder Witness Needed in This Time
WASHINGTON, DC - In response to the leaked draft of the Supreme Court opinion in the Dobbs v. Jackson case that directly overturns Roe v. Wade, Sojourners released the following statement:
Given the likely overturning of Roe v. Wade, and resultant criminalization of abortion services in many states, Sojourners believes this moment calls for a bolder witness in defense of the rights and choices of women and people seeking abortion services. This probable decision will deeply impact and pose harm to women and pregnant people, especially those who are low income and people of color. Sojourners will work to ensure that women and pregnant people know all their options and have a protected right to choose at national and state levels. We also believe that our efforts should continue to be guided by a consistent commitment to abundant life and human dignity.
Sojourners has long embraced a consistent ethic of life, seeking to protect the dignity and sanctity of life at every stage of life and has worked to forge common ground to significantly reduce the number of unwanted pregnancies. We have also challenged the hypocrisy of some parts of the pro-life movement who have been more pro-birth than consistently pro-life. A consistent ethic of life requires that we care about everything that harms and threatens people’s lives and dignity, from poverty and health care to climate change and gun violence, and more.
“Sojourners prayerfully tries to apply biblical principles and priorities to a range of often complex policy and ethical issues. The leaked Supreme Court memo has further inflamed the already polemical debate around abortion. It is imperative that we don’t engage in the kind of demonizing and denigration that is all too common in our politics and culture today. We must work extra hard to humanize and respect those who arrive at very different political and theological conclusions and positions than our own. This moment calls for a pastoral approach to care for anyone facing an unwanted pregnancy as well as greater advocacy to protecting their rights.” said Rev. Adam Russell Taylor, President of Sojourners.
“At Sojourners, we will do all that we can to support and protect the lives, dignity, and rights of women and others who give birth while also advocating and supporting evidence-based legislation and policies that have proven to reduce the number of unwanted pregnancies, including access to holistic healthcare, economic supports to women and families, and increasing access to contraception and reproductive health services. We also support the holistic spiritual care of those who face this decision. We recognize the diversity of experiences and spiritual needs of people who have or are considering abortion. As an organization, we are seeking out and listening to the stories of those most impacted and following the leadership of those who have been deeply engaged in this issue,” said Dr. Jessica Felix-Romero, Chief Strategy and Impact Officer at Sojourners.
Sojourners magazine is an independent, award-winning print and online publication of faith, culture, and politics. Informed by our core values, Sojourners magazine and sojo.net will curate robust, theologically diverse news and commentary on related to abortion and faith. Read more about editorial independence at Sojourners.
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Further reading: Sojourners President Rev. Adam Russell Taylor Editorial As a Christian, I Want to Reduce Abortion, Not Overturn Roe