I fall on the other side of this argument, but it is interesting to note the variety of answers Churches and even individual pastors give their flocks. For example, I know two couples who asked different Orthodox clergy (in the same city, but from different jurisdictions) the same question on using in-vitro fertilization. They received completely different answers. Bio-ethics is not an easy topic to deal with. If the "Great Council" is ever convened, many participants have stated that this will be on the docket.
(Sofia Echo) - The Bulgarian Orthodox Church’s governing body, the Holy Synod, does not oppose in vitro fertilisation – in contrast to a December 2011 statement that it did; the misconception was a result of a clerical error in the initial statement.And Also...
This is according to Lovech Metropolitan Gavril who, however, underlined that the statement was correct in saying that the church opposed surrogate motherhood.
The initial statement caused outrage among various groups and the Bulgarian Orthodox Church, already caught up in a series of other recent controversies, came under fire for taking a stance against in vitro in a country in a demographic crisis with a birthrate that has been falling, overall, for several years.
According to statistics quoted in a recent report by Bulgarian-language mass-circulation daily 24 Chassa, in 2011 about 700 babies were born in Bulgaria as a result of in vitro fertilisation. The previous year the number was 688.
The success rate for conception through in vitro in Bulgaria was about 26 to 30 per cent, according to the report.
Gavril said that like the Orthodox Christian churches of Russia and of Greece, Bulgaria’s Holy Synod accepted in vitro fertilisation on condition that the biological material came from legal spouses and the cells were fertilised for implantation so that there was no destruction of eggs.
"Under these conditions, the church accepts in vitro. This is what the Holy Synod said and there is nothing more that I can say," Gavril said.
(Novinite) - The Holy Synod of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church is not against in vitro fertilization, according to the Lovech Bishop, Gavrail.
Gavrail told the Bulgarian National Radio, BNR, Wednesday that there had been a mistake in the opinion of the members of the Synod, which was published at the very last day of 2011.
In it, the Holy Synod opposes in vitro fertilization and surrogacy, viewing them as a "human interference that is counter to God's will in the existential foundations of life."
Now the Lovech Bishop says that the Synod is only against surrogacy, and sees is it as unacceptable, while both the Greek and the Russian Orthodox Churches agree with in vitro fertilization under the condition that biological material is from the lawful husband. Other conditions include implanting all fertilized eggs and no eggs being destroyed.
"This is how the Church accepts in vitro. This is the opinion of the Holy Synod, and I cannot add anything to it," Gavrail said.
He, however, explained why the Church opposes surrogacy.
"There are many things there which are unacceptable. Tomorrow they will start cloning us. Do we have to agree to that as well? Maybe they try this method somewhere already? Our opinion is well explained in our December statement, but there is a mistake about the in vitro fertilization," according to the Bishop.
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I always thought this was the standard Orthodox answer so please correct me if I am wrong. The only stipulation I am aware of is that both the sperm and egg must come from the married couple.
ReplyDeleteThat is the procedure would not involve for example the egg from the wife and the sperm from another man who is not her husband.
With all respect Steve, No, the other stipulation must also be included as noted in the report, all eggs must be implanted. Otherwise human life is destroyed.
ReplyDeleteThe Roman Catholics are going to jump all over you guys for this.
ReplyDeleteI'm always tickled when I read news reports attributing mixed signals from a Church to "clerical error."
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