Overturning Roe Is Not a Win for People of Faith: Georgia Faith Leaders Denounce Dobbs Ruling
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, June 24, 2022
MEDIA CONTACT
Austin Schuler, aschuler@faithinpubliclife.org, 540-280-3393
Overturning Roe Is Not a Win for People of Faith:
Georgia Faith Leaders Denounce Dobbs Ruling
Atlanta, GA — Today, faith leaders from across Georgia denounced the Supreme Court decision made in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization.
Min. Shavonne D Williams
Georgia Organizing Ambassador, Faith in Public Life
Augusta, GA
“Today’s decision by the Supreme Court was devastating to me and rolls back decision-making autonomy that is inherently given to everyone by God. As a clergy, a retired physician’s assistant and a mother, I know the decision to start or expand your family is sacred and personal. It should be made with healthcare providers; there is no room for politics to be in the mix.
The court’s ruling will disproportionately harm Black and Brown people, especially those experiencing poverty or without the means to travel for necessary care. Here in Georgia, it is very dangerous to be pregnant – especially to be Black and pregnant. Black maternal mortality is twice that of white counterparts.
Georgians need our elected officials to work together with us to create safe and healthy communities where we can all raise families that thrive. That means focusing on policies that improve our health instead of cutting off access to care. They must expand Medicaid to cover 500,000 Georgians who lack access to affordable healthcare. They must reopen closed hospitals in rural Georgia, where lack of emergency care is a crisis. Focusing on the health needs of all Georgians, not cutting off access to abortion care, is how we walk out our charge to love our neighbor. This should be our elected officials’ top priority.”
Rev. Kathy Manis Findley
Baptist Minister and Retired Executive Director of Safe Places
Macon, GA
“As a Baptist minister, I grieve the Supreme Court’s ruling that denies access to abortion. In a very real way, this ruling is a harsh message to women and girls about their right to care for their bodies. In my many years of working with sexually abused women and girls, I have observed the devastation of unwanted pregnancy. I will be one faith leader who will stand in solidarity with every woman who needs care and compassion.”
Rev. Dr. Donny D. Green
Senior Pastor, Bibleway Missionary Baptist Church
Albany, GA
“As a pastor, husband and father, I believe the fundamental freedom to make decisions regarding healthcare including reproductive care lies with the individual and their physician, not within the walls of our government. The overturn of Roe. vs. Wade violates these values and has far-reaching negative healthcare consequences across the nation.
As a pastor in Southwest Georgia, I witness the disparities in healthcare access on a daily basis that adversely impact communities of color. The Supreme Court’s ruling today will further harm communities of color, particularly in rural Georgia where access to healthcare is affected by geographical and financial factors.
I call for our elected officials to focus on policies to enhance the lives of all Georgians instead of limiting a person’s freedom to make decisions concerning abortion care and starting or expanding their family.
My faith teaches unconditional love for our neighbor and all of God’s creation. The decisions made by the justices and our elected officials have been rooted in the love for power instead of people.”
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Faith in Public Life is a national movement of clergy and faith leaders united in the prophetic pursuit of justice, equality and the common good. Together, with a network of over 50,000 leaders, they are leading the fight to advance just policies at the state and federal level that affirm our values and the human dignity of all.