The Network of Clergy and Abortion Information

3min Snip

00:00

Play full episode

Summary

Transcript

Episode notes

Some states made it illegal to even talk about or give abortion information. The network grew quickly, and they started getting calls from clergy all over the country. Some ministers were fired from their posts, never to work as a minister again. But you know, for the most part, i believe that most congregations had some inkling.

In 1967, a very unlikely group of individuals gathered to help women quietly break the law and obtain an abortion. The first step was to call a phone number. A recording of a woman's voice would tell you what to do next.

Who was behind this number? The Clergy Consultation Service, an underground network of ministers and rabbis who wanted to help women access safe abortions. Today, they call themselves the Religious Consultation for Reproductive Choice.

Say hello on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Sign up for our occasional newsletter, The Accomplice. Follow the show and review us on Apple Podcasts: iTunes.com/CriminalShow.

We also make This is Love and Phoebe Reads a Mystery.

Artwork by Julienne Alexander. Check out our online shop.

Episode transcripts are posted on our website.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices