Abortion
A Statement of the Lutheran Church in America, 1978
Clarifying Minute to be appended to the 1970 LCA Social Statement
on Sex, Marriage, and Family
(Twelfth Biennial Convention,
Toronto, Ontario 1984).
The 1970 convention of the church adopted the Social Statement on
Sex, Marriage and Family. That statement provides basic principles on
abortion based on theological grounds with socio-ethical considerations
to be taken into account. Specific decisions are to be dealt with in
counseling situations. (See also Report of the President, p.28, left
column.)
The statement opposes
- Abortion on demand- "Earnest consideration should be given to the
life and total health of the mother, her responsibilities to others in
her family, the stage of development of the fetus, the economic and
psychological stability of the home, the laws of the land, and the
consequences for society as a whole"; and
- Use of abortion as an alternative form of
contraception-"... the fetus is the organic beginning of
human life,...
The Division for Mission in North America provides helpful
interpretation in its study book "The Problem of Abortion after the
Supreme Court Decisions."
The Committee on Memorials from Synods recommends that the above
minute be transmitted to the Nebraska, Central Pennsylvania and
Wisconsin-Upper Michigan Synods as the response to their memorials.