Baptist pastors Fred Smith and Errol Domingue take on misconceptions about abortion and faith

Baptist pastors and friends of nearly 30 years Fred Smith and Errol Domingue were both raised in the church. Over the years, their views on abortion have shifted and evolved — with help from their wives, who are also both clergy.

While their steadfast support for reproductive freedom may leave them in the minority within the Baptist church, both Fred and Jeff are hopeful that in time, other faith leaders will join them in reexamining long-held assumptions, and preaching a message of love. As Errol says, “I suppose we just keep speaking out, and hopefully others will join us.” 

Fred and Errol sat down for a conversation recorded by StoryCorps Studios, part of Abortion in America’s collection of interviews with people in Louisiana about the ways in which the state’s abortion ban has affected their lives.