Russian Orthodox Church propose measures to reduce abortion

(January 22, 2011) The head of the Russian Orthodox Church has proposed to Russian President Dimitri Medvedev a series of family policies that would restrict access to abortion, reports the AFP news agency. The proposal by Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia were sent Monday, ahead of a meeting of the Council of State on the theme of the family. This is the first time the Russian Orthodox Church has suggested specific policies to the Russian government. Patriarch Kirill requested, among others, that the expenses of abortion no longer be covered by the health system (except in the case of danger to the woman's life). He also proposed the obligation to inform women about all the negative consequences of the interruption of pregnancy and hoped, for the introduction of an informed consensus and a time of reflection. The dramatic demographic decline in Russia is a cause of concern for the Churches. If this trend goes unchecked, the United Nations predicts that by 2050 only 116 million people will inhabitant the vast territories of Russia.