Resolution Opposing Right to Reproductive Freedom-2024

Title: Affirming common ground by opposing the proposed amendment to the Maryland Constitution establishing a right to reproductive freedom. 

Budget Implications: None.

Rationale: We are called to uphold the sanctity of human life from the womb to natural death. Therefore, any governmental mandate affecting a human life must be carefully defined and delimited. The proposed amendment to the Maryland Constitution establishing a right to reproductive freedom (Declaration of Rights, proposed Article 48) has far reaching implications for unborn and maternal life and health, but it is not carefully defined or delimited. Therefore, it should be opposed. ( Note: For brevity Declaration of Rights , proposed Article 48 is referred to below simply as “proposed Article 48.” The full text is given below after the Resolved section.)

Submitted by: Roger C. Kuhn, , Lay Member of the BWC from Morgan Chapel UMC, Woodbine, MD. 

RESOLUTION:

Whereas the Book of Discipline 2016 (Par.161K) recognizes the sanctity of life of both the unborn child and the mother, opposes late-term abortion except in specific circumstances, and encourages careful consideration in any case before aborting a child;

Whereas the term “reproductive freedom” is undefined in Maryland law and is only partially and broadly defined in the proposed Article 48, it is not carefully defined and delimited. Left to the courts, it could be construed in ways that the citizens of Maryland might not understand or intend when voting for this proposed amendment, and therefore does not belong in our law at the constitutional level;

Whereas Maryland law already allows great latitude to those who consider terminating a pregnancy at any stage. Thus the proposed Article 48 is unnecessary;

Whereas guarding the health and life of mother and baby is a continuing art and science and, therefore requires that laws ensure that up-to-date information regarding the risks of abortion and the alternatives to abortion be provided to women considering abortions to ensure true informed consent; and

Whereas many women feel pressured by others to end their pregnancy and later regret that decision, the proposed amendment could interfere with keeping the laws of Maryland fine-tuned to the rights and needs of mothers and babies, including the need to be shielded from coercion ; now

Therefore, be it Resolved, that the Baltimore-Washington Conference opposes the proposed amendment to the Maryland Constitution establishing a right to reproductive freedom (Declaration of Rights, proposed Article 48), and encourages individuals and churches to consider their response to this amendment in light of Par.161K of the Book of Discipline 2016 and Resolution 2026 of the Book of Resolutions 2016.

 Effective Date: Effective immediately upon successful passage of the resolution.

 References:

1. Proposed amendment at: https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2024RS/Statute_Google/c0/48.pdf
   Article - Declaration of Right -- Article 48. NOT IN EFFECT
   ** SUBJECT TO REFERENDUM IN NOVEMBER 2024 – CHAPTERS 244 AND 245 OF 2023 **
   That every person, as a central component of an individual’s rights to liberty and equality, has the fundamental right to reproductive freedom, including but not limited to the ability to make and effectuate decisions to prevent, continue, or end one’s own pregnancy. The State may not, directly or indirectly, deny, burden, or abridge the right unless justified by a compelling State interest achieved by the least restrictive means.

2. Free online UMC Book of Discipline and Book of Resolutions: https://www.cokesbury.com/book-of-discipline-book-of-resolutions-free-versions

As per Baltimore-Washington Conference Rule Para. 3006.2.c., this resolution was reviewed by the Conference Secretary and found consistent with the current Book of Discipline.