www.byzcath.org Forums News & Events Church News Abortion & Ecumenism

Let me first state that I am among those who disagree with the Armenian Apostolic Church's relative liberalism on the matter of abortion. I perosnally believe all Churches need not only to preach the wrongness of abortion but stand for social protection of the unborn.

However, leaving that issue aside, is this an ecumencial problem for Catholics and pro-life Orthodox? I have never seen any objections raised to the Armenian Church in ecumencial dialogue.

Axios

Dear Axios,

I am wondering why you specifically say "pro-life Orthodox". As far as I know from my own Church, it is considered a grave sin in all of Orthodoxy, no 'ifs', 'ands', or 'buts', (although penance can vary from the extreme of the monastics: ie: not being allowed Holy Communion for three years according to the rules laid out by the early church fathers, to the 'economia' of the less stringent parish priests).

I don't know about the Armenian Apostolic church (I wish someone could specifically tell me what they believe on this matter), but one thing is for sure: Here is where the Roman Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox Church see eye to eye without any nit picking of any sort.

In Christ,
Alice

I am very grateful for the pro-life witness of my fellow Orthodox Christian here in North America. And I do not beleive anywhere does the Orthodox Church accept abortion as a morally responsbile choice. Sadly, in many other countries, Orthodoxy has not been a witness for the social protection of the unborn.

Let me also add some clarity to the Armenian Orthodox views. Rather than paraphrase and maybe add errors to a subject that needs carefully chosen words, I 'll post the following statement from the Catholicos:

�The refusal of abortion emanates from such basic principle as taught in the Bible and the Tradition of the Church. However, the Armenian Church has not formulated any dogmatic stand on this matter. It tries to build up and cultivate this principle in the hearts and minds of its people, recognizing their freedom to exercise such principle according to their Christian conscience. Surely, the Church is not a political institution. Political issues are left to the state and the political parties.

I rejoice in seeing the role of women in constant growth. As Head of the Church, I was the first Catholicos of All Armenians whose election women took part."

-- H.H. Karekin, Catholicos of All Armenians

I am respectful to this statement, though I fundementally disagree with it. But my question is should this be an ecumencial barrier?

You can find the OCA's stance on abortion here:

http://www.oca.org/pages/min_orgs/Resource-Handbook/Family-Life/abortion.html

Logos Teen

Dear Axios,

Thankyou for your clarification. As I read it, The Prelate is saying that they take the moral position of abortion being a grave sin, but that they want their laity to know this in their hearts rather than not doing it simply because they are told. I might also say that I read some anti-RC polemics between the lines in there...emphasizing that they will not have a political voice on the matter although they fundamentally agree with the stand of the Roman Catholic Church.

I don't think that this will be an impediment to any possible future union with the Armenian Apostolic Church and the Roman Catholic Church.

I do see your point about being low key, however. It is a fact that two of the largest abortion rates in the world belong to Greece and Russia. They actually use it as a form of birth control. Being that these are fundametally Orthodox Christian countries this is absolutely unacceptable and the burden of responsibility falls on Archbishop Christodoulos and Patriarch Aleksi. Obviously, some good old RC sermons about the evil of abortion are long overdue.

In Christ our Lord,
Alice

Alice,

Abortion is being addressed in Russia.

Take a look at the following:
http://www.pms.orthodoxy.ru/zhizn/english/index.htm

and

www.pms.orthodoxy.ru/abortion [pms.orthodoxy.ru]

Unfortunately the second is only in Russian and does not have an English version. As you can see there are many articles. They include the Churches stand on abortion, abortion in the Bible, the Fathers on abortion, etc.

Much work is yet to be done but it will take longer than 10 years to undue 70+ years of militant atheism.

Stephen Barrow

As an active member of the pro-life (political) movement, I think that the Armenian position reflects the proper position of the Church's role in the world.

Clearly, they are stating that a member sins when choposing abortion. And yet, the member remains free to choose, however erroneous, legal or illegal that choice may be. Ultimately, we want them to choose life not because the secular laws tell them to (although that may prevent some from sinning), but because they have love for God's creation in their hearts.

We want to witness to ceasar, but we don't want to become ceasar. We want ceasar to become one of us!

Having said this, there isn't any reason why Orthodox Christians who persist in publically espousing views contrary to the faith, after repeated warnings from ecclesial authority, should be communed at the chalice. Elected officials claiming to be Orthodox who support laws which legalize abortion, homosexual behavior, or other sins should even be called to greater account. This should be done privately and pastorally. There is no need to publish a list of which elected officials have been "cut off," but cut off they should be.

Leading the flock (not to mention the rest of society and ceasar) astray with false teachings is a very serious offense.

With love in Christ,
Andrew