The Long History of Faith-based Support for Abortion

Thank you for your recent feature by Marisa Spalding, “How Hyde Hurts Women” (Vol. XXXVI, No. 2). The National Network of Abortion Funds is an orga­nization that has spent more than 20 years working to repeal the Hyde Amend­ment and to increase access to abortion for those with the most limited financial and logistical resources. We’re always happy when organizations such as yours are able to push back on the very inaccurate narrative that people of faith do not support abortion rights.

Our network of member funds and supporters, as well as the thousands of people who are unfairly denied abortion care because of their income or qualifications for federal benefits, are intimately aware of the numerous injustices of the Hyde Amendment. There is a deep racism and discrimi­nation inherent in denying abortion to groups who are also denied equitable access to sex education, contracep­tion, clean environments, good schools and compas­sionate healthcare. Abor­tion restrictions are part of a framework that creates a system of haves and have-nots in the United States. The Hyde Amendment makes it harder for individ­uals to allocate precious resources to their family members. It also makes it more difficult for people to get an education while working to lift themselves out of poverty.

We know these barriers are interconnected, forming a net that holds people back in our society. We also know that Catholic values can and should condemn these injus­tices, as you have. Thank you for bringing to light the long history of people of faith working to make assis­tance reach those with fewer means, of taking care of the poor and sick and of loving thy neighbor.

RENEE BRACEY SHERMAN, MPA
Policy Representative
National Network of Abortion Funds
Washington, DC