BELGRADE, Yugoslavia (CWNews.com) - The Serbian Orthodox Church today issued a order that abortionists would be refused Holy Communion in all of the church's diocese, according to the independent Beta news agency.

    The church's Holy Synod sent a letter to all priests mandating they refuse Holy Communion to doctors and midwives who perform abortions. "Abortion is a grievous sin before God, condemned by the Scriptures," the Synod's letter said. "As such, it threatens the entire Serbian nation with biological extermination."

    The abortionists can return to Communion only after repenting of abortion. While abortion is legal under Serbian law stemming from the years under Communist rule, many observers have noted a sharp decline in birthrate in the country due to the practice. Some fear a potential collapse in the country's population.