On Tuesday, November 5, Missourians will have the chance to vote for Amendment 3 and reinstate the right to abortion in our state constitution. The right to safe, legal abortion and the right to access birth control and family planning are rights that Episcopalians have affirmed over and over again. Missouri’s abortion ban violates religious freedom for Episcopalians, other Christians, all Jewish traditions, people of different religious beliefs, and people who do not hold religious beliefs: our bishop, the Rt. Rev. Deon Johnson is one of fourteen clergy plaintiffs who sued the State of Missouri over its abortion ban because it violates the separation of religion and state.
Because of Missouri’s ban, abortion is functionally illegal. Medical providers fear prosecution and malpractice, even when a mother’s life is clearly in danger. The same surgical procedures are often used when someone miscarries, which has put people who miscarry or have ectopic pregnancies in great danger. The right to access Plan B (a form of contraception, not an abortifacient) has never been universal in Missouri. In the Dobbs Decision that overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022, Justice Thomas indicated that the right to contraception and same-sex marriage could fall next. Recent reports have shown that maternal and infant health in Missouri is abysmal. Because of Missouri’s abortion ban, Missouri is losing medical residents and physicians who specialize in Obstetrics and Gynecology. Labor & Delivery and OB/GYN departments are closing across the state - further endangering the health of women and infants.
Jesus never shamed women. God loves and cares for all of us, without exception. People who have abortions - most of whom already have children - are making the best decisions they can given the sinful constraints of the economic, political, and social systems in this country where so many claim to affirm family values. Yet, we, as a country, do not provide paid family leave, universal healthcare, or low-cost quality childcare. We are called to love our neighbors as ourselves. We are called to strive for justice and peace and to respect the dignity of every human being.
Missourians for Constitutional Freedom (www.moconstitutionalfreedom.
org) is the campaign organization formed to pass Proposition 3. As November 5 approaches, I strongly encourage all people of faith who support reproductive freedom to volunteer with MCF in the coming weeks. Canvasses and phone banks are already being organized, and your time and energy are crucial to our success.
