Church urged to lead fight against abortion

Russia’s Orthodox Church has been asked to excommunicate church members who assist with abortions, as part of its toughening stance on marriage and family life, writes Jonathan Luxmoore.

“Many baptised and practising Orthodox are co-operating with family planning groups which propagate abortion, or participate in abortions as heath service employees,” Leonid Sevastianov, the head of Russia’s main pro-life organisation, told Patriarch Kirill in an open letter. “By excluding them from the Church we can give these people a chance to repent and atone, and help the many people who are confused by this Orthodox masking of an outlook which is at odds with religious faith.”

The letter was published as pro-life campaigners circulated a petition demanding an abortion ban in response to calls by the Patriarch for tighter restrictions. It said the presence of pro-abortion social and healthcare workers at Orthodox services “disoriented and manipulated consciences”.

Russia’s Orthodox Church has traditionally been tolerant towards abortion, despite growing calls by Orthodox leaders for co-operation with Catholics in defending traditional Christian values in Europe. The country currently has the world’s highest abortion rate, with up to 1.2 million registered annually in a population of 143 million.