This is in response to Mark Nordberg’s July 23 letter, “‘Pro-life’ churches condone child abuse,” where he lumps the United Methodist Church in with the positions of the Catholic and Southern Baptists. Clarification on this misinfomation is in order.
The Social Principles of the UMC are as follows on the issue of abortion: “Our belief in the sanctity of unborn human life makes us reluctant to approve abortion. But we are equally bound to respect the sacredness of the life and well-being of the mother and the unborn child. We recognize tragic conflicts of life with life that may justify abortion, and in such cases we support the legal option of abortion under proper medical procedures by certified medical providers.”
While the UMC, like every denomination, has had tragic instances of clergy child abuse, there has been no widespread occurrence of such instances, and no financial penalties imposed on the UMC, as Mr. Nordberg’s letter inferred. While even a single instance of child abuse is repugnant and unacceptable, to lump United Methodism in with those traditions that have experienced system-wide occurrences of such tragic behavior is inaccurate and unfair.
Portia Miles Smith
Oakland
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