The Romanian Orthodox Church has declared its opposition to in vitro fertilization, after a 67-year-old Romanian woman gave birth to a baby boy thanks to the techniques of medically assisted procreation. “The practice used by this woman is contrary to Christian morality”, said Bishop Ciprian Campineanul, during a press conference. “Life he continued is a gift of God and a child is the fruit of a loving relationship between a man and a woman. I would even go so far as to say that the desire of this woman to have a child at the age of 67 testifies to her egoism. The Orthodox Church encourages couples to rediscover adoption rather than have recourse to in vitro fertilization”. Bishop Campineanul also criticised the doctors involved, calling them “avid for performance”, conducted without taking account of the advice of the Minister of Health, Mircea Cinteza, who had advised against maternity for women in menopause. The case of the 67-year-old mother has aroused considerable controversy in Romania where the law prescribes no age limit for women who wish to submit themselves to in vitro fertilization. A new law on assisted procreation, in conformity with European legislation, is expected to be adopted shortly.
