TEC school employs abortion activist: CEN 4.03.09 p 8.

A pro-abortion activist has been named the dean of Episcopal Divinity School (EDS) in Massachusetts. On March 30 the school’s board of trustees announced that the Rev. Katharine Ragsdale would assume the post of president and dean on July 1.

Since 1996 Dr. Ragsdale has served as vicar of St David’s Episcopal Church in Pepperell, Mass, and for the past four years has served as executive director of the Political Research Associates, a leftist think tank whose mission is to build a more just and inclusive world by exposing programs from the Christian Right “that undermine human rights.”

An openly gay priest, Dr. Ragsdale is best known however for her championing of abortion rights, serving for 17 years on the board of the Religions Coalition for Reproductive Choice (RCRC)—a political lobbying group that campaigns for an unfettered access to abortion. During her eight year tenure as chairwoman of the RCRC, Dr. Ragsdale doubled the size of the organization’s budget and staff.

In a 2007 sermon posted on her website, Dr. Ragsdale stated she believed “abortion was a blessing” and abortionists were “engaged in holy work.” Abortion for reasons of health, finance and convenience were moral choices, she argued.

“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,” she said.

Dr. Ragsdale closed her sermon with the statement “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.”

The Episcopal Church holds contradictory positions on abortion. In January 2006 the Episcopal Church’s Executive Council approved the Episcopal Church’s membership in the RCRC. At the 2006 General Convention the Diocese of Tennessee introduced a resolution seeking to rescind the church’s membership. However the resolution was withdrawn before a vote was taken.

While the RCRC works for abortion rights in any and all circumstances, the Episcopal Church historically taught that moral discernment, on matters related to abortion, was essential, with the church’s formal position stated by the 1994 General Convention stated “We emphatically oppose abortion as a means of birth control, family planning, sex selection, or any reason of mere convenience.”

Since the 2006 affiliation with the RCRC a number of dioceses have individually disassociated themselves from the Executive Council’s decision to join the political lobbying group.

Considered the most liberal of the Episcopal Church’s theological college, EDS was founded in 1974 following the merger of the Philadelphia Divinity School and Episcopal Theological Seminary, and in recent years has faced mounting financial deficits. Leaders at the seminary have welcomed Dr. Ragsdale’s fundraising and professional experience.

The acting dean of EDS, Angela Bauer-Levesque, welcomed the selection of Dr. Ragsdale. “Her commitments, energy and clarity, combined with her astute analysis, her collaborative style, and her experience in fund raising will make EDS more boldly live out its purpose of educating lay and ordained leaders for the church and the world, dedicated to work for justice, foster diversity and seek constructive change,” she said.