General News and Announcements

May 28, 2010

Political discussion about abortion is currently taking place in the government and the media. The United Church of Canada's policy on abortion was developed as part of a long and intensive study process that looked at human sexuality as a whole.

The 1980 decision states: "We are called as a people of God to take responsibility for our lives and the world in which we live. This may involve making grave decisions relating even to life itself."

The United Church's policy on abortion includes the following four statements:

• Contraception and Abortion (1980)
• Abortion and the Criminal Code (1989)
• Access to Abortion (1990)
• Contraception (1990)

This position reflects

• an emphasis on responsible sexuality
• a moral responsibility not to bring an unwanted child into the world
• recognition that there are situations when a woman and her partner may be in extremely difficult circumstances where they must decide whether or not to continue a pregnancy
• an emphasis on the decision to end a pregnancy being made thoughtfully by a woman in consultation with her doctor
• a call for adequate counselling, support, and services to be provided by medical facilities and social services for all processes related to conception and childbirth, including abortion, across Canada
• a call for thorough education regarding responsible sexuality and conception
• a call on the Canadian government not to criminalize abortion