Dr. A.L. Barry, president of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (Voice, Oct. 1), seemed to miss the main point of Sen. Paul Simon’s Sept. 19 commentary “The problem with right-to-lifers,” which stated the senator’s views on the late-term abortion procedure. Even though Dr. Barry expressed “profound concern,” he actually agreed that in “rare and tragic circumstances an abortion is a clear medical necessity to save the life of the mother”.
As a former Missouri Synod Lutheran–now a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America–I must agree with Paul Simon. As an active 75-year-old senior citizen, I too am old enough to remember the changes in position the Missouri Synod has taken over the years. However, as a forward-thinking citizen, extremely aware of how fast things change, I couldn’t wait for the Missouri Synod to catch up with me–and the rest of the world.
I must say that I am quite shocked that a person of Dr. Barry’s standing would censure such a highly respected, honorable, ethical and conscientious senator as Paul Simon for stating a logical position. We cannot ignore a very complicated problem by imposing a constitutional amendment or rigid laws without taking into consideration compassion for all concerned.
