New Course Will Examine Orthodox Teaching on Abortion

KATY, TX — This Sunday, August 24, at 7:00 p.m. Central Time, Fr. Adam Roberts, Rector of St. Paul Orthodox Church (an Antiochian parish of the Western Rite), will launch a five-week online course exploring Orthodox Christian teaching on abortion and reproductive rights. The course will combine pastoral insight, guided discussion, and viewings from the award-winning documentary In the Name of Choice.

Fr. Adam, who serves as Dean of St. Athanasius College, co-founded Camp St. Thekla, and holds a Master of Theology in Pastoral Counseling from the University of Balamand, brings extensive experience in pastoral ministry and theological education. He is also the author of several books on Orthodox Christian life and spirituality.

The series will guide participants through the ethical foundations of Orthodox teaching on life and personhood, while also confronting the ways extremism and violence have distorted the public abortion debate. Students will hear real stories of women who felt trapped, shamed, or unsupported, and will be introduced to practical models of care and policies that affirm both mother and child. Each session will also provide a pastoral framework for walking with people through complex and often painful decisions.

Course Details

Schedule: Sundays, August 24 – September 21 at 7:00 p.m. Central (five sessions)
Length: Approximately 90 minutes each
Format: Guided discussion with reflection on documentary episodes (no required reading)
Recordings: Available to all registered students
Prerequisite: None; open to everyone

Fr. Adam emphasized that the course is not simply about moral teaching, but about equipping the faithful to respond with compassion. “The Church has always proclaimed life as a gift from God,” he said, “but it is also our responsibility to meet people with love, support, and real help when they face difficult choices.”

Registration is now open, with all sessions accessible online.