The legal team representing 14 Missouri faith leaders, including Diocese of Missouri Bishop Deon Johnson, says they remain committed to restoring abortion access in Missouri, despite a June 14 ruling by St. Louis Circuit Court Judge Jason Sengheiser, deciding the abortion ban does not violate the church-state provisions of the Missouri Constitution.
Bishop Johnson expressed disappointment and sadness at the ruling. “I am grateful for each of you for standing up and speaking out especially at a moment like this in our state and nation’s history,” Johnson said.
Johnson added his name to the lawsuit filed by Americans United for Separation of Church and State in January 2023 which challenged Missouri’s total ban of abortions. The lawsuit, Rev. Traci Blackmon v. State of Missouri, was filed on behalf of 14 clergy members whose various faiths call them to support abortion access because of the critical importance it holds for the health, autonomy, economic security, and equality of women and all who can become pregnant.
Plaintiffs in the case included faith leaders from the Baptist Church, the Episcopal Church, Orthodox Judaism, United Church of Christ, Reform Judaism, Unitarian Universalism, and the United Methodist Church. One plaintiff is also a state legislator. The group held a press conference January 19, 2023, at Christ Church Cathedral in St. Louis to announce their lawsuit.
“We respectfully disagree with the court’s decision, and will be discussing next steps with our faith leader clients,” Americans United stated in a press release. “Missouri’s abortion ban is a direct attack on the separation of church and state, religious freedom and reproductive freedom. Missouri lawmakers made clear that they were imposing their personal religious beliefs on all Missourians when they enacted these laws. We remain committed to restoring abortion access in Missouri.”
“We know deep in our bones that the time has come and that G-d is doing a new thing even if we cannot perceive it,” said Bishop Johnson. He quoted the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.: “The arc of the moral universe is long but it bends towards justice.”
Read more from Americans United for Separation of Church and State.
photo: Jan. 19, 2023 / Christ Church Cathedral