A Culture (Tug-of) War on the Religious Left

While the United Church of Christ is handing out condoms at church on Sunday, confident that "condoms are a sign that people of faith take sexuality seriously," certain well-placed Episcopalians -- eager not to let their liberal preeminence be eclipsed by low-church congregationalists -- have responded.

The Episcopal Divinity School in Cambridge, Massachusetts has announced the appointment of Katherine Hancock Ragsdale as the school's sixth president and dean.

In one of her sermons -- which in the meantime appears to have been taken down from her weblog -- the new EDS president said this:

And when a woman becomes pregnant within a loving, supportive, respectful relationship; has every option open to her; decides she does not wish to bear a child; and has access to a safe, affordable abortion – there is not a tragedy in sight — only blessing. The ability to enjoy God’s good gift of sexuality without compromising one’s education, life’s work, or ability to put to use God’s gifts and call is simply blessing.

These are the two things I want you, please, to remember – abortion is a blessing and our work is not done. Let me hear you say it: abortion is a blessing and our work is not done. Abortion is a blessing and our work is not done. Abortion is a blessing and our work is not done.

I want to thank all of you who protect this blessing – who do this work every day: the health care providers, doctors, nurses, technicians, receptionists, who put your lives on the line to care for others (you are heroes — in my eyes, you are saints); the escorts and the activists; the lobbyists and the clinic defenders; all of you. You’re engaged in holy work.

God help us.