For whom the vows apply: Some Texas faith leaders work to combat the stigma religion often places on people seeking abortions

by BEKAH McNEEL

For years, Rev. Erika Forbes — seen here at her home in Dallas on Nov. 22, 2021, has offered comfort and assistance to women seeking abortions in Texas. After Texas’ restrictive abortion law went into effect, Forbes continued helping patients find safe options outside of the state and offering other support. Of the state’s new law, she says: “What it essentially does is make it illegal for me to offer care and support.” PHOTO/Shelby Tauber for The Texas Tribune

Female clergy say the state’s new abortion restrictions fail to consider women’s lives.

Rev. Erika Forbes’ pastoral calling regularly brings her to the Whole Woman’s Health abortion clinic in Fort Worth. She blesses the clinic and escorts patients inside — sometimes past a crowd of protesters.

The number of women going into the clinic has fallen since Texas’ Senate Bill 8 took effect Sept. 1, prohibiting abortion if cardiac activity is present, except in medical emergencies. But the few Texans still eligible for abortion need spiritual support, Forbes said, and so do the many who are not. That’s why she regularly partners with Whole Woman’s Health to organize clergy to support their work.

“I took a sacred vow to help people live a life free of shame, stigma and judgment,” said Forbes, an ordained interfaith minister in Dallas and manager of faith and outreach for social justice advocacy organization Just Texas. Too often, she said, religion has made women feel exactly that when it comes to abortion. Seeking pastoral care may not even cross their minds.

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