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Published online by Cambridge University Press: 18 December 2024
Introduction
In this chapter we bring together the perspectives of members of the group Faith Voices for Reproductive Justice (FVRJ). FVRJ was set up in 2020 following a research and development project hosted by Ulster University and the activist organisation Alliance for Choice, as outlined in Chapter 11. The group was started by people from different Christian denominations in Northern Ireland. It is open to members of all religious communities whose faith has led them to support safe abortion access as a necessary part of society. FVRJ wants to help build an interfaith community of people who have had abortions or who support the right of others to make that choice for themselves. The current membership includes clergy members, faith leaders and members of faith communities. Members meet together face to face and online for discussions, training, presentations and to encourage and support one another.
As discussed in Chapter 11, Northern Ireland is a morally conservative society, with many church leaders rejecting reform of abortion law and advocating anti-abortion positions. Faith voices that dominate public discourse have all been anti-abortion. FVRJ sought to open up space for people who feel there is nowhere else to have open conversations about abortion. The organisation's value base is centred within the reproductive justice framework. FVRJ's position on abortion is detailed as:
Some religious groups have created stigma around abortion through public condemnation and private judgement of individuals. We feel a responsibility as people of faith to say sorry for that and to work to redress it. We want people to know that there are many different positions on abortion across different religious traditions and denominations. We are seeking to make space for all of those in a place where one religious interpretation on abortion has been allowed to dominate.
Each of our members will have their own experiences and ethical questions that shape their beliefs on abortion, although we share some core principles:
• We believe in the inherent dignity of every person, including the sacred gift of sexuality.
• We recognise that the dignity of women has not been equally valued in society and that religious doctrine and power has been misused to harm women and girls over many generations.
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