The head of the country's Orthodox Church in a Christmas speech Monday? called for more local adoptions, days after a law banned Americans? from becoming parents for Russian orphans.
The law took effect Jan. 1 and is in response? to the Magnitsky Act, which the U.S. enacted to punish Russian officials suspected of violating? human rights.
"In connection with Christmas, I would like to appeal to everybody who? can take the important step of adopting children and supporting orphans? -- take this step," Patriarch Kirill said in a televised address.
"There shouldn't be any orphans in our country."
Kirill made the issue the highlight of his speech.? "It is very important for our people to adopt orphans into their? families, with joy and a special feeling of gratitude to God, giving? them not only shelter and an upbringing but also giving them their? love," he said.
Opponents of the law are planning a protest on Jan. 13 and have drawn? backing from some artists and the liberal party Yabloko.
The number of adoptions by Russian families is modest, with some 7,400? in 2011 compared with 3,400 of Russian children by families abroad,? nearly 1,000 of those by Americans, Reuters reported.
More than 650,000 children are considered orphans in Russia, including? those rejected by their living parents or taken from dysfunctional? homes. Of that total, 110,000 lived in state institutions in 2011,? according to government figures.
In signing the legislation at the end of last month, President? Vladimir Putin echoed statements by some legislators that American? parents who have been accused of abusing their adopted Russian-born? children have been treated too leniently by U.S. courts and law? enforcement.
Related articles:
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.