The Lenten Lunches

and

Christian Aid’sAbortion Policy

The annual Lenten Lunches had been an important ecumenical event in the lifeof Shaftesbury for many years, and all the different denominations hadcontributed. The problem, however, is that though this has been seen as anecumenical event the proceeds have all gone to only one charity: Christian Aid. This fact acquires a more problematic nature given Christian Aid’s developmentof an abortion policy that many Christians do not consider to be acceptable–inparticular, Catholics.At a national level, concerns have been raised about Christian Aid's policy onabortion. These concerns have been voiced locally at Churches Together inShaftesbury. Recently, it had seemed that a compromise might be possiblewhereby the percentage of the Lenten Lunches contributions estimated tocome from Catholics will go towards CAFOD instead of Christian Aid. Sadly, theorganisers of the Lenten Lunches have just informed me yesterday that they donot consider this acceptable I therefore feel there is no other option than for StEdward’s to withdraw our support for the Lenten Lunches this year. It isimportant for us to maintain our moral integrity in opposing abortion even if others no longer recognise that they too have this responsibility. It is my hopeto speak to the organisers of the Lenten Lunches more formally later andpossibly arrange something else for next year.With respect to Christian Aid's policy on abortion: Stephen Dominy, ChristianAid Volunteer Development Officer –Dorset, wrote to the local ShaftesburyChristian Aid on 20 November 2008. His letter says "that Shaftesbury CatholicChurch has withdrawn support for Christian Aid because of [Christian Aid’s]stance on abortion". The letter proceeds to describe (part of) Christian Aid’spolicy on abortion, which it claims is “categorical”. The policy cited states,“Christian Aid does not support abortion clinics and does not promote abortionor regard it as a desirable form of birth control, and works hard with partnersoverseas to remove or alleviate the extreme conditions of poverty that makethe need for abortion even to be considered."However, the above statement is not one that can be considered to be“categorical”. In fact, it does not easily square with a more detailed reading of Christian Aid's November 2001 statement. That statement repeatedly refers to“

reproductive health services

”, one of the standard means of referring toabortion agencies. For example,n.2 ... Provision of adequate reproductive health and education servicesfor poor women is crucial so they can limit the number of children theyhave in a safe and informed way.n.4(c)... [Christian Aid] is supportive of all people, through appropriateprimary health care systems, having access to reproductive healthservices...n.7 ...in common with other ecumenical development and aid agencies,Christian Aid has funded organisations that provide support to poorwomen in crisis, including the provision of counselling services to informvictims of their legal rights, both in terms of advice on legal abortions aswell as the risks of illegal abortions.