In reviewing its position on abortion, the General Assembly reaffirmed its position, that ‘human life begins at conception and that from that moment the human embryo should be treated in a manner in accordance with full human dignity.
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Speaking at the Assembly, the Convener of the Council for Church in Society, Very Rev. Dr. Norman Hamilton said, “This is an incredibly painful and very real human subject that touches on so many fundamental issues, that it needs to be considered and discussed with the utmost sensitivity and compassion.
“With the experiences of women and their families who have lived through crisis pregnancies constantly in mind, a group of women and men drawn from across the denomination, including medical professionals and theologians, sought to discern the best of Biblical guidance and teaching on this complex issue.”
“While it has been a generation since the Church has discussed this, we felt that it was important that we reflected again, especially at this particular time, in light of the current public debate,” Dr. Hamilton said.
Recognising that the public debate had moved on, paper brought before the Assembly acknowledged the complexities involved in cases with children with life-limiting conditions and pregnancy resulting from sexual crime.
Professor Stephen Williams of the Church’s Union Theological College in Belfast, who was a member of the Group said that, “Though the ethical issues surrounding abortion remain basically unchanged from a generation ago, the task of Biblical, theological and moral reflection is an ongoing one, and we have to be attentive to changing circumstances in medicine, law and society.”
Summarising the report, Professor Williams said, “Our conclusions are based in our belief in the unique value of human life, which includes both mother and child. We argue that abortion is justified when pregnancy endangers the life of the mother. We are not convinced that abortion is justified on the basis that an unborn child has a life-limiting condition, though our paper does address the complexities of the condition of anencephaly. Recognising that rape is a heinous and violent violation of a woman’s body, the Group believes that in cases of rape, it is consistent with, but not mandated buy, the Church’s position to take steps to prevent the development of pregnancy up until implantation.
Dr. Hamilton added, “As a Church we want to align theology with deep compassion. We are well aware of the deep human tragedies that lie behind all crisis pregnancies. This is why we believe that the provision of readily accessible and appropriate care in the perinatal period for every woman, child and family should be a high priority for society, and are calling on the governments of Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland to ensure such provision.”
Addressing another sensitive issue, in a special presentation the Council for Church in Society helped the Assembly to consider why and how the Church should play its part in dealing with the past and fostering reconciliation.
The presentation included contributions from Northern Ireland’s first Victims’ Commissioner, Bertha McDougal and Rev. John Hutchinson, who spoke about his time in prison before becoming a Presbyterian minister.
The Assembly approved a research project entitled, ‘How did Presbyterians respond to the Troubles?’ which it is hoped will make a positive contribution to the ongoing societal discussion about how to deal with the past.
Dr. Hamilton said, “As a Church we are called to be peacemakers and in response to that calling we are willing to take the risk of examining our own history and offering what emerges for the benefit of our Church and wider society. By looking at what we did well and where we fell short during the Troubles, we hope to make a positive contribution to this difficult and often controversial subject of dealing with the past.”
The Assembly adopted a revised version of the General Assembly’s 1994 Peace Vocation, entitled ‘Vision for Society’. Dr. Hamilton concluded by saying, “I hope this will send a strong and positive message to political parties and others that the Church is committed to playing its part in helping to build better relationships in civic life and in local communities.”
A paper on Freedom of Conscience was also brought forward, to contribute to the ongoing debate about how society manages moral and religious diversity.