Second Day of Proceedings of the Fourth Bioethics Conference of the Ecumenical Patriarchate

On Saturday, 3 October, the proceedings of the Bioethics Conference of the Ecumenical Patriarchate continued in the presence of His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia, President of the Synodal Committee of the Ecumenical Patriarchate; the local Shepherd, His Eminence Metropolitan Prodromos of Rethymno and Avlopotamos; Their Graces Bishop Evmenios of Chora and Bishop Athinagoras of Canberra, of the Holy Archdiocese of Australia; the Deputy Regional Governor of Rethymno, Ms Maria Lionis; the Mayor of Rethymno, Mr G. Marinakis; as well as numerous academics, clergy, members of monastic brotherhoods and sisterhoods, and interested members of the local and wider community.

During the first session, entitled “The Gift of Life and Childbearing: Theological, Bioethical and Social Dimensions”, chaired by the Dean of the School of Theology of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Professor Emmanouil Karageorgoudis, papers were presented by His Eminence Metropolitan Nikolaos of Mesogaia and Lavreotiki; His Grace Bishop Isidoros of Andida, Assistant Professor at the School of Theology of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens; Professor Konstantinos Pantos, Professor of Medicine; Professor Miltiadis Vantsos of the School of Theology of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki; and Professor Konstantinos Kornarakis of the School of Theology of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. Finally, the paper of the absent Honourable Archon Didaskalos of the Nation, Konstantinos Delikostantis, Professor Emeritus of the School of Theology of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, was read.

Immediately following lunch, the second thematic session, entitled “The Gift of Life and the Responsibility of the Human Person: The Question of Abortion”, was held under the chairmanship of Associate Professor Dimitrios Skrekas of Byzantine Philology at the University of Crete. The speakers were Protopresbyter Fr Vasileios Kalliakmanis, Professor Emeritus of the School of Theology of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, and Professor Evangelos Protopapadakis of the School of Philosophy of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens.

This was followed by the third and final thematic session, entitled “Care for the Human Person: Social Responsibility, Pastoral Care and Medical Ministry”, chaired by Mr Manousos Klados, journalist and President of the Historical and Folklore Society. Speakers included Professor Konstantinos Kotsiopoulos of the School of Theology of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki; Protopresbyter Fr Christophoros Chronis, Assistant Professor at the School of Theology of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens; and Professor Christos Lionis of the School of Medicine of the University of Crete.

The presentations at the Conference highlighted declining birth rates as a complex and multidimensional issue that extends beyond the narrow confines of a demographic problem and touches upon crucial aspects of human life and contemporary society. Bringing Orthodox Theology into dialogue with Bioethics, Medicine, Philosophy and Sociology, the presentations addressed issues relating to the family and childbearing, fertility and assisted reproduction, abortion, as well as the place and responsibility of the human person in relation to the gift of life.

Particular reference was also made to the pastoral care offered by the Church and to the contribution of medical science in addressing the consequences of declining birth rates. The presentations provided the opportunity for substantial reflection and fruitful dialogue, with thought-provoking contributions and questions from the conference participants.

The Conference continued the next day at the Holy Monastery of Saint Anastasia the Roman, where a Divine Liturgy was concelebrated by several Hierarchs, with His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia presiding. This was followed by the concluding session, during which the findings and conclusions of the Conference were recorded and subsequently published.