Motions re Abortion and Support of Family Life
https://archives.anglican.ca/link/official4117
- Date
- 1971 January - February
- Source
- General Synod. Minutes
- Type
- Resolution
- [Act 126]
- Mover
- Dr. D.H. Gould
- Seconder
- Dr. J.E. Merriman
- Prologue
- Moved by: Mrs. J.H. Craven
- Seconded by: Reverend P.S. Irwin
- "Recognizing that,
- The right to life involves not only the right to existence but also the right to human dignity and the opportunity for healthy development; and recognizing the increasing need for assistance to people of all ages in their mutual relationships especially with the basic unit of our society -- the Family:
- This Synod,
- - (a) Requests the Government of Canada to modify the legislation relating to abortion so that consideration of health of the pregnant woman may include concern for emotional and sociological factors which bear directly upon her ability to cope with the pregnancy.
- - (b) Urges government at all levels, as appropriate to strengthen legislation in support of a Family Counselling, Family Planning and Family Life Education within the school system and the community at large.
- - (c) Urges all dioceses to support and assist in the development of Family Life Education programs both within the Church and in the community.
- Moved by: Dr. D.H. Gould
- Seconded by: Dr. J.E. Merriman
- That this Resolution (on abortion), be tabled, and that the National Executive Council set up a task force of theologians, physicians, social scientists and lawyers to study the question of a definition of 'human life' in its applications to the question of medical morals and ethics on subjects such as abortion, transplantations and medical experimentation for report to the next General Synod. CARRIED
- The Assessors ruled that this motion was really two motions, and at this point in the debate it was agreed that the question should be re-opened.
- Moved by: Miss Betty C. Graham
- Seconded by: Reverend E. Bull
- That the question be re-opened. CARRIED
- That this Resolution on abortion be tabled. CARRIED
- Text of motion
- That the National Executive Council set up a task force of theologians, physicians, social scientists and lawyers to study the question of a definition of `human life' in its applications to the question of medical morals and ethics on subjects such as abortion, transplantations and medical experimentation for report to the next General Synod. CARRIED
- Notes
- A revised motion was then introduced.
- Moved by: Reverend P.R. Ellis
- Seconded by: Reverend H. McSherry
- Building on the work started by the meetings of General Synod in Ottawa, this 25th Session endorses the statement of the Primate's Special Study Committee on Abortion as our authoritative position, and commends the Canadian government for the changes made in the criminal code.
- The revised motion was DEFEATED.
- [Recorded as No. 126 in Acts of Synod, p. 72. List of Acts includes actions which are NOT resolutions/acts.]
- Subjects
- Abortion - Religious aspects - Anglican Church of Canada
- Bioethics - Religious aspects - Anglican Church of Canada
- Transplantation of organs, tissues, etc. - Religious aspects - Anglican Church of Canada
- Medical ethics - Canada