New York Times Praises Religious Leaders For ‘Blessing’ an Abortion Clinic

By /

A recent report shows how a group of ministers and a cantor blessed an abortion clinic, fueling debate over religion’s role in pushing abortion.

Key Facts:

– A Baptist minister, a Presbyterian pastor, and a Jewish cantor blessed exam tables and staff at a year-old clinic.
– The New York Times praised these religious figures for framing abortion care as a sacred duty.
– Similar blessing ceremonies have occurred, including one at a Planned Parenthood center in Washington, DC, in 2017.
– Supporters say their mission is to offer compassion to women who feel judged and ostracized.

The Rest of The Story:

Clinic workers described the hostility they face, with some leaving church communities after revealing their involvement in abortion care.

Clergy participants stress that showing kindness to marginalized individuals—such as women contemplating abortion—is central to their spiritual practice.

Still, the religious leaders seeming approval of such blessings sidesteps the harsh realities of abortion procedures, which many faithful consider morally unacceptable.

Commentary:

From a traditional perspective, these religious leaders appear to reject established doctrines that uphold the sanctity of life.

By deeming abortion clinics worthy of spiritual affirmation, they may be seen as heretics or apostates who have strayed from their faith’s core tenets.

Allowing them to continue leading congregations could undermine foundational beliefs about protecting innocent life, thereby eroding trust in their spiritual authority.

The Bottom Line:

This story exposes a divide over how some religious communities interpret life-and-death ethics.

READ NEXT: Costco Refuses to Abandon Its Diversity Plan Despite Call from Think Tank

For most it is obvious that blessing abortion clinics and those who work at them is a troubling departure from core religious teachings.