Archbishop Scott expressed deep appreciation to the members of the Task Force, recognizing the contribution made by Mrs. Phyllis Creighton and the Rev. Canon Paul Chidwick.
Mrs. Creighton spoke to the report on Artificial Insemination - Donor, and invited discussion and questions from the floor.
Text
That the National Executive Council receive the Report (A.I.D.) and give approval to its circulation for information and discussion. CARRIED
"1st printing May 1974. 2nd printing June 1974". -- verso of t.-p.
"[E]dited by Phyllis Creighton". -- verso of t,-p.
"The report, researched and edited by Phyllis Creighton" -- Foreword.
Includes bibliography, p. 38-39.
Contents: Foreword dated December 1973 / Edward W. Scott, Primate -- Introduction -- Preamble: our faith -- Why the issue of abortion is being re-examined -- Contemporary Canadian society -- Understanding the theological and moral stand taken in 1967 -- Consequences of the 1969 law reform -- Recommendations of the Task Force -- Specific recommendations for action -- Conclusion -- Short statement -- Bibliography -- Appendix.
Appendix includes: "Paragraphs 3 to 20 of the 'Brief on Abortion from the Anglican Church of Canada to the Standing Committee on Health and Welfare, House of Commons', presented by delegation on Thursday, December 14, 1967, in Ottawa".
Appendix includes: "Task Force on Human Life: Interim Report", pp. 43-47 which makes brief reference to the questions of organ donation and in vitro fertilization.
The Officers of the General Synod, prior to this meeting, had reviewed the Acts directed to the National Executive Council. Suggestions as to appropriate action are shown on Document #027-02-89-10.
The Acts were discussed by the National Executive Council, as follows:
Act 140 - Program Purpose and Goals for 1989-1995
No action was required.
Act 154 - Relations Between General Synod and Independent Mission Societies
Action to be taken by Partners-In-Mission and Program Committee and to be brought back to a future meeting of the National Executive Council
Act 37 - Confidentiality
Action to be taken by the House of Bishops and the Doctrine and Worship Committee. This will be discussed at the December 1989 meeting of Chancellors and Metropolitans
Act 38 - Compensation Policies and Practices
The Stipend Committee will be asked to gather responses, for placing before the National Executive Council
Act 88 - Funding Theological Education
Action to be taken by the Program, Ministry, and Stewardship and Financial Development Committees; then to be brought back to the National Executive Council
See also motion #47-10-89 (page 37).
Act 158 - Multiculturalism
See motion #46-10-89 (on page 37).
Act 97 - The Book of Alternative Services
See motion #37-10-89 (page 31).
Act 156 - Planning the Development of a New Hymn Book
The Doctrine and Worship Committee will be requested to regularly include, in its report to the National Executive Council, information on how it is dealing with this resolution
Act 112 - Surrogate Parenting
It was agreed that this resolution should be conveyed to the federal government now; and reiterated when it becomes a public issue
Act 139 - Anglican Journal Review
See Report #030-01-89-10 to the National Executive Council.
Text
That this National Executive Council approve the referrals proposed by the Officers and the action, as discussed at this meeting, regarding the disposition of the acts of the General Synod referred to this Council. CARRIED #32-10-89
In the light of the Government's announcement of a new Abortion Bill, the Anglican Church reaffirms its position that both the rights and needs of women, and the rights and needs of the unborn, require protection.
The Church welcomes a non-gestational approach. This accords with the Church's opposition to any arbitrary division which would make early abortion available on demand. The Church's fundamental position is that "abortion is always the taking of human life and, in our view, should never be done except for serious therapeutic reasons". However, the Church's Abortion report affirms that:
-an upper limit should be established at which "there is no reasonable prospect of viability"
- there should be a waiting period during which time counselling to women should be made available
- other alternatives to abortion explored including "social and financial supports to meet the needs of the woman, in housing accommodation, child care, employment, retraining, welfare benefits, and income support, as well as consideration of adoption of the baby expected."
The Church further affirms that there should be a conscience clause, so that "the conscientious right of health care personnel to refrain from participating in abortion procedures be guaranteed."
The Church also is "opposed in principle" to "anticipated genetic defect in the foetus as automatic grounds for abortion", because as Christians we are "called to be the voice of the voiceless and powerless (and) must speak out when those different from or less able than the norm are to be denied the full rights accorded their fellow humans".
The Church's Abortion Report also recommends legislation to "ban commercial transactions in human genetic material"; or any possibility of deliberate abortion for purposes of "foetal cell farming" for human transplants, and welcomes the recent announcement of a Royal Commission on reproductive techniques "as a vehicle to examine these concerns and develop legislative measures".
The Anglican Church sees abortion as a public justice issue, challenging Canadians to build a society that affirms human life, which values children and welcomes a new generation, and which provides legal and social protection for women caught in the trauma of problem pregnancies. Such extensive social legislation, to reduce conditions which make the choice of abortion more likely, would include:
- programs and education to combat violence against women
- more affordable housing
- pay equity for women
- a guaranteed annual income, and other financial measures
- universally accessible, publicly funded day care
- an intensified national program to collect child support payments from delinquent fathers
- better educational programs about sexuality and contraception in schools
The Church does not see abortion as simply a "woman's issue" but rather a community issue, which takes place on the battleground of women's bodies. Concerned that women are frequently forced to choose between marginalization and poverty or abortion, the Church believes that in many circumstances women are not "free" to choose to bear their children and so, because society fails to provide supportive structures, "abortion has become a means of `restructuring the woman' by emptying the womb". Many Canadian women who choose not to bear their child make their decision out of alienation and hopelessness. "True choice must involve alternatives to despair" the Report concludes.
Abortion In a New Perspective: Report of the Task Force on Abortion, is available from: The Anglican Book Centre, 600 Jarvis Street, Toronto, Ontario M4Y 2J6
For further information contact: The Reverend Michael Ingham, Principal Secretary to the Primate, 600 Jarvis Street, Toronto, Ontario, (416) 924-9192; Mrs. Diane Marshall (Family therapist, Report co-author) (416) 487-3613; Mrs. Phyllis Creighton (Research historian, Report co-author) (416) 978-2245
The Prolocutor took the Chair while the Primate introduced Mrs. Phyllis Creighton, author of the Report. Mrs. Creighton urged careful examination both of the Report and of the continuing genetic and bio-chemical research and experimentation.
Text
That this General Synod receives the Report "Artificial Insemination by Donor, a Study of Ethics, Medicine, and Law in our Technological Society" and commends it for study in the Church and the community.
The Motion was then put and CARRIED Act 56
Notes
Mrs. Creighton responded to questions and observations from members of the Synod.
"Task Force on Human Life, The Anglican Church of Canada". -- t.-p.
Includes bibliographic references.
"This report has been prepared through the work of the Task Force on Human Life. The Task Force was established in January 1972, at the request of the February 1971 General Synod, to study ethical issues being posed by medicine and the life sciences. In its interim report to General Synod Quebec 1975, the Task Force noted that it had begun a study of A.I.D. It sought permission then to write a full report .... General Synod authorized it to complete its work and to submit the report to the National Executive Council for subsequent circulation (R 38). It is with these purposes in view, and in response to General Synod's resolution, that this study has been written". -- Preface.
Contents: Preface -- Foreword / Edward Scott, Primate -- The Problem -- Ethical Issues -- Medical Aspects -- Legal Concerns -- Other Social Policy Issues -- Embryo Transfer -- Task Force Conclusions -- Appendix. -- Notes.
"Members of the Task Force on Human Life, for this study, 1973-77" chaired by Canon Paul Chadwick, listed on pp. vii-ix.
1. Commends the paper on the Disposition of Frozen Human Embryos, by Phyllis Creighton.
2. Will appoint a small working group to examine the recommendations of the Royal Commission on New Reproductive Technologies when these become available.
3. Requests the Executive Director of Program to communicate these concerns to the news media on behalf of the Church.
Amendment
The mover and seconder agreed to delete the first word "Will" in #2 and replace it with "Requests the Doctrine and Worship Committee to."
The amended motion now reads:
2. Requests the Doctrine and Worship Committee to appoint a small working group to examine the recommendations of the Royal Commission on New Reproductive Technologies when these become available.
3. Requests the Executive Director of Program to communicate these concerns to the news media on behalf of the Church. CARRIED #15-11-93
That the Doctrine and Worship Committee be requested to prepare a position paper, for approval by the National Executive Council (with the results to be shared with the whole Church) on the disposition of frozen human embryos. CARRIED Act 75
That a Human Life Task Force be re-established, reporting through the Faith, Worship and Ministry Committee to the Council of General Synod, to reflect theologically on the ethical issues surrounding biotechnologies, euthanasia and assisted suicide, reproductive technologies and human cloning, and to monitor ongoing developments in these areas. Membership of no more than 7 should include 1 member of the Faith, Worship and Ministry Committee, ethicists, theologians, scientists and clinicians from the various disciplines as required by the issues. CARRIED Act 27
Contents: 1. Press release entitled "Practice of surrogate motherhood unacceptable, Anglican group says; Calls for legal changes to prevent spread of surrogacy in Canada" dated 2 May 1989 -- 2. Surrogacy : The Report of an Anglican Task Force on "Surrogate Motherhood" / John Baycroft, Chair.
Report later published by the Anglican Book Centre under title: "Whose child is this? : ethical, legal, and theological dangers of `surrogate motherhood'". Separately catalogued in OTCH.