OCU cleric: Vaccine with cells from an aborted child is quite ethical

Andrei Dudchenko. Photo: a screenshot from Dudchenko's Youtube channel

The secretary of the Synodal Theological and Liturgical Commission of the OCU, "priest" Andrei Dudchenko, sees nothing wrong with the use of the AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine, in the development of which the cells of an aborted foetus were used since "the pregnancy was terminated legally" and "this life ended anyway", he wrote on his Facebook page.

“I see no ethical obstacle to Christians using such a vaccine,” wrote the OCU theologian. “Why? Because that unfortunate human embryo did not die in order to extract a vaccine from it, but for other reasons. This life ended anyway."

Dudchenko sees the providence of God in abortion and the subsequent use of the embryo for scientific purposes, since "the consequences of human sin can be turned into good".

As reported, the Ministry of Health has promised to vaccinate 21 million Ukrainians by the autumn of 2021.

Read also

Zoria: "Russian world" prevents us from settling in Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra

The spokesperson for the OCU lamented that he cannot gain full access to the temples and caves of the monastery. 

Clerics of Sumy Eparchy evacuate 78 residents of frontline villages in 2025

The Spiritual Rehabilitation Center at the Sumy Eparchy of the UOC in 2025 combined pastoral service with humanitarian aid and evacuation of civilians.

Sandu attends Synod meeting of Moldovan Orthodox Church

The President of Moldova attended the Synod meeting chaired by Metropolitan Vladimir of Chișinău.

Odesa Eparchy provides assistance to Kherson churches damaged by shelling

Financial support is aimed at restoring churches damaged by shelling.

Khmelnytskyi Eparchy raises over UAH 4 million for charity in 2025

The Khmelnytskyi Eparchy has summed up its charitable financial assistance for 2025.

UOC Chancellor comments on possible papal visit to Ukraine

Metropolitan Anthony recalled that the UOC rejects unionism in principle as a path to unity with the Roman Catholic Church.