4th Bioethics Conference of the Ecumenical Patriarchate: Subnatality at the center of the theological, scientific and social dialoguetranslated

The issue of low fertility, one of the most important demographic and social challenges of our time, is at the center of the 4th Bioethics Conference of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, which will be held at the Center for Social and Cultural Ministry "Theomitor" of the Holy Metropolis of Rethymno and Avlopotamos, from October 2 to 4, 2006, under the chairmanship of Rev. Archbishop of Australia Mr. Makarios, president of the Synodal Committee on Bioethics of the Patriarchate. The Conference aspires to be a step of essential theological, scientific and social dialogue around an issue with multiple dimensions and long-term negative consequences for Greek society. The steady decline in births, the aging of the population, the increase in the age of family creation, the social and economic conditions that influence the decision to have children, but also the possibilities offered by medical science today create a complex picture, which cannot be approached in one dimension.

During the work of the Conference, distinguished Hierarchs, professors, doctors, and specialist scientists will examine the phenomenon of...