Clergy and organizers with Faith in Action, the largest grassroots, faith-based organizing network in the United States, are speaking out against today’s Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, following a leak of the Supreme Court opinion.
Rev. Dr. Cassandra Gould, Senior Strategist, Faith Leadership Strategies, Faith in Action and Associate at Metropolitan A.M.E. Church in Washington, D.C. : “The U.S. from its origin has been a tale of two countries, the privileged and the underprivileged. We are also a country that often operates under the veneer of a fraudulent connection to religion. Proverbs 14:31 reminds us that, ‘Whoever oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors God.’
“The SCOTUS decision to overturn ROE not only puts those who inequities have caused to be perpetually, underprivileged such as poor women, Black women and other women of Color at risk but it also inherently shows contempt for the Creator.
“It is a moment in which people of faith have to wrestle with theologies that support oppression of any kind. It is a sad day for us but we have been here before and will continue to advocate for, stand with and protect the well-being of those who continue to be saddled with legalized, judicially enforced oppression.
Rev. Alvin Herring, executive director of Faith in Action: “This is a huge blow to women in this season of despair. As people of faith, we are called on to join with women who are afraid today. We must speak out against dangerous policies that chip away at having agency over their own bodies.”
“This country pretends to be a nation that cares about the wellbeing of women when millions of women are without health insurance and access to maternal health care. It is also no secret who will be most affected: poor Black and Brown women. Our collective liberation relies on all of us having the tools to live our fullest lives and make decisions grounded in our own values and beliefs. As faith leaders, it is not our place to judge others for their circumstances – rather, it is our job to stand against policies that make the lives of women more difficult.
“This decision comes in the midst of women across the United States are struggling to find formula to feed their babies and the irony is not lost on these leaders. The U.S. also has the highest maternal mortality rate of any developed nation and it’s currently the highest it has been in decades.”
Rev. Kamilah Hall Sharp, Co-Pastor, The Gathering, A Womanist Church in Dallas and Clergy Organizing Board, Faith in Action: “Today is a difficult day for women and children in this country because of the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. People are hurt, scared, and frankly, enraged.
“Here in Texas, we have one of the country’s highest Black mother mortality rates, no Medicaid expansion, and child care is hard to get even for people with the money. This decision is deadly. I, too, am enraged at the injustice, the lack of care for women and that most people who voted to take this right away will never have to carry an unwanted pregnancy to term in their bodies. As a follower of Jesus, I believe my rage aligns with his. Jesus was so enraged by injustice and the oppression of the people he flipped tables. We must harness our rage and organize and flip seats in state and federal legislatures so that evil does not get the final word.”