Moscow Theological Academy and the Higher School of Economics held a scientific seminar

On March 22, within the framework of co-working between the Law Faculty of the Higher School of Economics and the MThA Department of Church-Practical Disciplines there was a research workshop on "Law, Religion and Culture", which took place at the Moscow Theological Academy.

At the opening session speeches were made by Archpriest Alexander Zadornov, Vice-rector for scientific work of the Moscow Theological Academy; Associate Professor N.S. Semenova, Head of the Master’s profile “Modern Canon Law”; Associate Professor Yu.V. Erokhin, Head of the project group "Law and Art", Deputy Dean of introductory and industrial practice and extracurricular work of the National Research University Higher School of Economics. V.I. Erokhin and Archpriest Sergiy Zabelich, a senior lecturer at the Department of Church and Practical Disciplines of the Moscow Theological Academy, form a group of experts.

The Moscow Theological Academy was presented by Master’s students of the Modern Canon Law Department and post-graduate students of the Department of Church-Practical Disciplines, specializing in canon law. The National Research University Higher School of Economics was presented by undergraduate students of the educational program "Jurisprudence" at the Law Faculty. General number of participants was about 60 people.

The participants discussed a feature film "The Right to Choose" (2020, directed by Elena Piskareva), which raised a social issue about abortion.

There were also a number of discussion questions such as:

• A which term do we consider a conceived child a person?
• Is artificial termination of pregnancy (abortion) a violation of the constitutional right to life?
• Is it possible to qualify artificial termination of pregnancy (abortion) as murder?
• What does voluntary consent to medical intervention and refusal of medical intervention mean?
• Religious, legal, psychological, medical, genetic views on artificial termination of pregnancy (abortion). 
• The problem of abortion from the doctors, pregnant women, fathers of children, parents of a pregnant woman, parents of fathers of children, society (general attitude), law enforcement agencies, the Ministry of Health, public organizations, cosmetology organizations, the Church point of view.

The questions aroused keen interest and lively discussion. The participants agreed to develop a final document based on the results of the discussion.

After the end, they went on a guided tour round the Holy Trinity St. Sergius Lavra and the Moscow Theological Academy.

MThA Press Office МДА