From New President of Episcopal Divinity School: 'Abortion is a Blessing'
The new president of the Episcopal Divinity School is openly gay and an outspoken advocate of abortion and "LGBT" rights.
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.
PrintRagsdale, who is an outspoken advocate of abortion and LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bi-Sexual and Transgender) rights, was the unanimous choice of the Board of Trustees and will begin her duties on July 1, 2009.
In addition to the press release and public letter concerning the appointment, the EDS website also has a link to Rev. Ragsdale’s sermon blog. There, the first sermon is entitled, “Our Work is Not Done.” The content has been cited and circulated on a large number of pro-life and conservative Christian blogs. An excerpt follows:
“When a woman wants a child but can’t afford one because she hasn’t the education necessary for a sustainable job, or access to health care, or day care, or adequate food, it is the abysmal priorities of our nation, the lack of social supports, the absence of justice that are the tragedies; the abortion is a blessing.
“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.”
Currently, Ragsdale serves as Rector of St. David’s Episcopal Church in Pepperell, MA. She is also President and Executive Director of Political Research Associates, that describes itself as “a progressive think tank devoted to supporting movements that are building a more just and inclusive democratic society.”
The organization’s website also indicates that one of their missions is to “expose movements, institutions, and ideologies that undermine human rights,” particularly regarding the Christian and political right.
She has previously served on the boards of NARAL Pro-Choice America and the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice.
Ragsdale, who is openly gay, was profiled by Rich Barlow of the Boston Globe in their March 5 edition. During that interview she stated, "I've experienced far more resistance and discrimination in the progressive community for being a Christian than I do in the Christian community for being a lesbian.”
In his article, Barlow also stated that “she recalled that three women, spying her collar, once tried to keep her out of a meeting room for the National Abortion Rights Action League - even though she was a member of the league's board.”
EDS trustee, The Rt. Rev. M. Thomas Shaw stated in a press release, “I am thrilled with the appointment of Katharine Ragsdale as the president and dean of EDS. She brings a wealth of small parish ministry to her new position and it is critical that the new president and dean be able to train and form parish priests for the growth of progressive parishes across the country. She brings a wealth of experience, talent and creativity to this new position.”
In her acceptance of the position, Ragsdale said, “"EDS' commitment to the full range of diversity and not merely to inclusion but to transformation is at the heart of my own values and commitments. I believe that EDS grounds that work in the context of deep, thorough, nuanced theological education. The thought of leading and supporting an organization doing cutting edge theology and preparing lay and ordained leadership to serve God in the church and the world is very exciting."
Episcopal Divinity School, formed in 1974 with the merger of Philadelphia Divinity School (founded in 1857) and the Episcopal Theological School (founded in 1867), offers doctor of ministry and master’s degrees, as well as certificates in theological studies. Located on an eight-acre campus just a few blocks from Harvard Yard, EDS is a member of the Boston Theological Institute, a consortium of nine theological schools, seminaries, and departments of religion.
----
Randy Sly is the Associate Editor of Catholic Online. A former Archbishop of the Charismatic Episcopal Church, he and his wife Sandy entered into the full communion of the Catholic church three years ago.His interest in and coverage of the challenges facing the Episcopal church is rooted in his deep concern for all faithful Christians within that community.
- - -
Pope Benedict XVI's Prayer Intentions for January 2013
General Intention: The Faith of Christians. That in this Year of Faith Christians may deepen their knowledge of the mystery of Christ and witness joyfully to the gift of faith in him.
Missionary Intention: Middle Eastern Christians. That the Christian communities of the Middle East, often discriminated against, may receive from the Holy Spirit the strength of fidelity and perseverance.
Keywords:
NEWSLETTERS »
Rate This Article
1 - 10 of 155 Comments
Leave a Comment
More U.S. News
- Cheers Star: We Didn't Need Surveillance When We Were Kids - 'We Had God'
- Poorly prepared teachers steering nation's classrooms
- No-one Can Change the Truth About Fatherhood. Love Your Father. Be a Good Father
- IN SEARCH OF SUNKEN TREASURE: Divers plunge into Lake Michigan to search for 17th Century ship
- Courageous Bishop Paprocki Shows Us How To Contend for the Truth About Marriage
- Courageous Cardinal George of Chicago Defends Marriage, Calls for Public Conversion
- Archbishop Chaput Cuts Through the Double Talk About Religious Liberty
- CENSUS: Non-Hispanic whites hits all-time low of 63 percent
- SHOCKING COURTROOM VIDEO: Nevada woman arrested by same Marshall she says sexually assaulted her
Featured News
- Fr. Paul Schenck: Finding Living Faith on Catechetical Sunday
- The Movie Yellow: Incest as 'Normal' and Cassavates's Slides Into the World of Woes
- The Chicago School Teachers Strike Reveals the Need For School Choice
- The Sexual Barbarians and the Dissolution of Culture
- The Happy Priest Challenges Us to Ask: Who is Jesus to Me?
- Michael Coren on Canadian Public Schools: Teachers, leave those kids alone
- We Cannot Ignore Our Consciences: Cardinal Dolan On Religious Liberty
- In the Face of Danger, Successor of Peter Travels to Lebanon as a Messenger of Peace
- Reflections on the Dignity and Vocation of Women: Who or What?
Most Popular
No-one Can Change the Truth About Fatherhood. Love Your Father. Be a Good Father Read More
Courageous Cardinal George of Chicago Defends Marriage, Calls for Public Conversion Read More
Fall of the Wall of Silence: More on Pope Francis and Reports of a 'Gay Lobby' in the Roman Curia Read More
Pope Francis Refers to 'gay lobby' inside Vatican Read More
Why Catholics Have Failed Our Culture: The Bottom Line Read More
Daily Readings
Reading 1, Second Corinthians 8:1-9
Next, brothers, we will tell you of the grace of God which has ... Read More
Psalm, Psalms 146:2, 5-6, 7, 8-9
I will praise Yahweh all my life, I will make music to my God ... Read More
Gospel, Matthew 5:43-48
'You have heard how it was said, You will love your neighbour ... Read More
Saint of the Day
St. Gregory Barbarigo
June 18: St. Gregory Barbarigo was born in 1625, of a very old and ... Read More
Latest Videos
Zanies Comedy Club - Comedian Sally Edwards View Video
Jun 18 - Homily - Fr. Benedict: St. Ephrem - Mary's Own Singer View Video
Jun 18 - Homily: Love those who Persecute us View Video
Pope Francis: Let us pray for our enemies! View Video
Pope discusses youth unemployment, with the President of the European Commission View Video
Marketplace
A Walk Through the New Catechism
This easy-to-read compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church ... Read More
Our Lady of Medugorje Necklace. Catholic Jewelery. Read More
Don't be too concerned, Ms Ragsdale. It's clear you are NOT a Christian if you hold to the view that killing a baby is a blessing. It takes on sick mind to come to this conclusion.
I can't believe I'm an Episcopalian and never heard of this woman until I saw her on Fox News a few days ago. Her comments were appalling. I couldn't believe her support for abortion but I kept thinking maybe I was missing her meaning. Then at the end she said abortion was a blessing. When questioned about her statement, she added it is if you need one. My family has a strong legacy in the Episcopal church, including my great-grandfather who was a priest. I know none of my family would ever agree with this woman. If this is the path - and I feel the church becoming more far-left liberal everyday - I'm not sure I can remain in the religion until death do us part.
As an Episcopalian, I am deeply mortified to be associated with this woman. Abortion is murder. If you do not want to be a mother, do not become pregnant.
Superb site from Amy Rebera
This is why I came back to Catholic. Was raised Catholic, got mad when I learned I couldn't be a Deacon ( missed that little "no" somehow as a woman), and went Episcopalian to be reaffirmed as a woman. Was nice to have a female priest, and non-sexist language in our liturgy.
But, after 10 years of muck like this, raging anti-Conservativism and pro-Abortion from the "leaders" of this supposed church, I came back. We have problems as Catholics, no doubt, ...on the other hand, thank God we still recognize murder for murder.
I should have known a church founded by a guy who was so mad at the rules of divorce that he cut off many wives' heads would be tainted. The fruit has come to be born.
I want to know what passage in the Bible says that abortion is a blessing.
This is false teaching in all of its forms if ever there was one.
So keep vigilant brothers and sisters. Keep the faith.
Peace and Merry Christmas!
Too bad! she isnt a woman at all, she doesnt have a mother's heart, Abortion is murder!! Its is a mortal sin and it is against the human acceptability.
It is sad to see a supposedly reverend woman sees killing babies as a blessing. God gave only women a gift, a special gift to procreate to fill this earth with the most beautiful things on earth, children. Women receive the power to make our world exists and continue to exist. How can it be a blessing to destroy this gift? I think women need to look deeper on why people are telling them about choice, it's because they are jaleous of this special gift that we women have that they don't have or they refuse to accept like Katherine Ragsdale, therefore they use their rejection as an excuse to call abortion a blessing. This is sickness. We need to pray for people like her.
Despicable! "Abortion is a blessing" and "George Tiller is a martyr and a saint". More evidence of just how far TEC has fallen! This woman is a heretic who was ordained by Arch-Herectic and apostate John Shelby Spong. Dung rolls down-hill!
When King David had Uriah murdered so that he could commit adultery with Uriah's wife, King David must have blindly thought that the pleasure he would now have with Uriah's wife would be a "blessing". It was as if Satan was whispering to him to eat the forbidden fruit, and he ate the fruit. Then David repented of his grievous, grievous sins. Not only had King David procured a murder for the sake of pleasure, but he had committed adultery - all for the sake of pleasure. King David and Bathsheba had a son who was loved. They both knew that adultery, murder and abortion were wrong. Ms. Ragsdale is like King David - completely and utterly worshipping "pleasure" and putting God's commands aside. As it is written, "If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love." [John 15:10]. Ms. Ragsdale does not abide in the love of God; she has found a false god. Episopalians: leave your communion and come into the Catholic Church. Ms. Ragsdale: open your eyes, see and repent.