The Holy Synod of the Romanian Patriarchate, in a meeting on the 4th and 5th of July 2013 in Bucharest, has approved the European Citizens’ Initiative “One of us”, which seeks to strengthen the legal protection within the bounds of the European Union of the dignity, right of life and integrity of every human being from the moment of his/her conception. The initiative requires the European Union henceforth to desist in financing any activities which directly or indirectly lead to the destruction of the human embryo, especially in the domain of medical research, research development and public health.
Faithfull to its faith that life begins in the very moment of conception, the Romanian Patriarchate reminds everyone of the fact that the destruction of a human embryo is an spiritually and morally unacceptable act.
In this sense, the Representation of the Romanian Orthodox Church to the European Institutions, together with the Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Community (COMECE), has actively supported the amendment by the European Parliament of the articles concerning the ethical aspects of theHorizon 2020 research framework.
The Romanian Patriarchate recommends all of the dioceses under its jurisdiction, as well as all organizations functioning with the blessing of the Romanian Orthodox Church, to support and make known this initiative, in order for as many as possible signatures to be raised.
Any EU citizen over 18 can support the initiative by signing it online here.
A pdf form is also available here.
More on oneofus.eu.
