Supreme Court Decision

A Pastoral Letter in response to the Supreme Court Decision in the case of Dobbs V. Jackson Women’s Health Organization

Dear Synod,

Friday morning, June 24, our nation began to hear the news that the Supreme Court had released its decision regarding the abortion case brought to it from Mississippi.  I am writing to you to share a pastoral word about that.

The decision held that our nation’s constitution does not confer a right to abortion.  This action effectively overrules the 1973 Supreme Court Decision in the case of Roe V. Wade and confers the authority to regulate abortion to the states.  The states vary greatly in their legislation relative to abortion, some protecting access and some restricting access.

What is the status currently in Pennsylvania?  In a conversation last night with the other ELCA bishops in Pennsylvania and with the Executive Director of Lutheran Advocacy Ministry in Pennsylvania I learned that the legislature will almost certainly move forward proposed increases in restrictions and that our governor will almost certainly veto that legislation.  We should expect this legislative struggle to stir up passions for and against the decision of the Supreme Court, both in our commonwealth and in our congregations. 

Within our congregations I ask that respect for each other and genuine interest in the thoughts and experiences of each other shape our conversation.  Tell your stories and listen to the stories of the other members of your congregation, trusting that while members of the one Body of Christ can and do hold very different deep convictions about abortion, we remain one community of faith, baptized into one Lord Jesus Christ.

In the public debate, I strongly encourage you to become familiar with our church’s careful and pastoral work of providing guidance through social statements.  Please read our Presiding Bishop’s pastoral letter: Bishop Eaton message, and our church’s 1991 Social Statement on abortion: ELCA Social Statement on Abortion 1991. I find that this social statement grounds our church’s teaching in Holy Scripture and provides helpful ways for individuals to make their own informed decisions and to participate thoughtfully in the work of advocacy.

And finally, in this fraught time, seek to live out your baptismal vocation with renewed energy:  live among God’s faithful people, hear the word of God and share in the Lord’s supper, proclaim the good news of God in Christ through word and deed, serve all people, following the example of Jesus, and strive for justice and peace in all the earth. (ELW p. 237; LBW p. 201)

 With you in Christ,

Bishop Kurt F. Kusserow