Central Florida Bishop: Church’s RCRC Affiliation ‘Embarrassing’

April 1, 2009

The member of the national Executive Council who drafted and urged passage of a resolution to affiliate The Episcopal Church with the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice (RCRC) has asked the diocesan council of Central Florida to nullify a resolution disassociating from the abortion rights organization.

In a letter sent March 16 to the Rt. Rev. John W. Howe, Bishop of Central Florida, John Vanderstar, of Washington, D.C., said he understood that Episcopalians hold varying political positions on the morality, legality and necessity of abortion, and that “this is a sensitive subject for many people. But the board’s harsh language with regard to RCRC is neither fair nor accurate. Moreover, the action of the council was squarely supported by positions adopted by General Convention that date back some 40 years.”

Accompanying Mr. Vanderstar’s letter were several documents which he said provided a more balanced view of the subject “than is reflected in the quoted remarks of your diocesan board,” and he urged Bishop Howe to share the information with the members of the diocesan board. the rest