Fourth Bioethics Conference focuses on declining birth rates, procreation and abortion

The Fourth Bioethics Conference of the Ecumenical Patriarchate continued on Saturday, October 3, with discussions focusing on declining birth rates, procreation, fertility, assisted reproduction and abortion from theological, bioethical, medical and social perspectives.

Among those attending were Archbishop Makarios of Australia, President of the relevant Synodal Committee of the Ecumenical Patriarchate; Metropolitan Prodromos of Rethymno and Avlopotamos; Bishops Evmenios of Chora and Athenagoras of Canberra; representatives of local authorities; academics, clergy, monastics and members of the public.

The first session, titled “The Gift of Life and Procreation: Theological, Bioethical and Social Dimensions,” brought together theologians, hierarchs and medical experts to examine issues surrounding family life, fertility and procreation.

Speakers included Metropolitan Nikolaos of Mesogaia and Lavreotiki, Bishop Isidoros of Andidon, Professor Konstantinos Pantos, Professor Miltiadis Vantsos and Professor Konstantinos Kornarakis. A paper by Professor Emeritus Konstantinos Delikostantis was also read in his absence.

The second session, “The Gift of Life and Personal…