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PRESS RELEASE UPDATE: Now Over 250 South Dakota Faith Leaders Oppose Amendment G, SD Media Largely Refusing to Cover the Story

Oct 23, 2024

Now Over 250 South Dakota Faith Leaders Oppose Amendment G, SD Media Largely Refusing to Cover the Story

SIOUX FALLS, SD (October 23, 2024) – UPDATE: Now over 250 faith leaders from diverse religious traditions have come together from across the state of South Dakota to voice their opposition to Amendment G – the measure to add abortion through all nine months of pregnancy to the South Dakota State Constitution. These pastors and church leaders signed on to a joint statement urging South Dakotans to Vote no on G, and outlined the moral and ethical reasons why Amendment G is harmful to women and children.

Caroline Woods, spokesperson for Life Defense Fund, issued the following statement: 

When 35 clergy members from five denominations announced support for one of the most radical abortion amendments in our country, a lot of South Dakota news outlets were quick to cover the story. But when over 250 religious leaders representing tens of thousands of South Dakotans expressed opposition to Amendment G, only one print media outlet in the entire state covered the story. Will local news media cover both sides of the story or will they censor stories that don’t advance a certain political agenda? South Dakotans deserve unbiased, fair news coverage.”

The letter and newly added signatories are below.

Pastor Janine Rew-werling, Hosanna Lutheran Church in Watertown, SD, issued the following statement:   

“As a pastor, my heart is for post abortive women and their struggles with guilt, shame, anxiety, depression, and even their risk of suicide. I have witnessed the reality of post-abortion trauma, and Amendment G is too extreme, putting women in danger. For any woman having a hard time, you matter! You don’t have to live in agony, and we certainly don’t want other women to face a lifetime of regret and hardship. God is with you and there is hope. Vote no on Amendment G.”

Pastor Ryan Chase, Emmaus Road Church in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, issued the following statement: 

“I oppose Amendment G because abortion violates God’s moral law, and a constitutional right to abortion would do great harm to the people of South Dakota. As a minister of the gospel of Jesus Christ, I call on other pastors and Christians to join me in standing for righteousness and justice by voting No on G. We have better news for the world – the good news that because Jesus Christ died for sinners, God’s saving grace is available to all who have participated in or been affected by the sin of abortion.”

Bishop Donald E. DeGrood of the Catholic Diocese of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, issued the following statement: 

“Jesus Christ instructed us, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself’ (Mark 12:31). Love impels us to speak and share the truth with our fellow South Dakotans about the damage that would be done by Amendment G. We are obligated to warn of the harm that would be done to some of our state’s more vulnerable and marginalized citizens: children still developing in the womb. We also must share the truth that Amendment G would threaten the health of women and undermine the rights of parents. Sharing the truth in love is one of the greatest acts of charity we can offer.”

Pastor Greg Blanc, Calvary Chapel Community Church in Rapid City, SD, issued the following statement: 

“Without any hesitation, the obvious biblical and ethical vote on Amendment G is an indisputable, ‘NO.’ Again, from a biblical perspective, church leaders should influence everyone we can – that we don’t have to choose between being pro-baby and pro-mommy, we can and should do both. Giving an innocent child and their mother the respect and protection they need is the South Dakota way. South Dakota, choose life, and vote NO on G.”

Categories: State Legislation