Greek govt: We won’t confront the Church, but we’ll legalize gay marriage

Pavlos Marinakis. Photo: orthodoxianewsagency

The spokesperson for the Greek government stated that authorities would not confront the Church on the issue of same-sex marriages but would still pass a law legalizing them.

During a briefing, the spokesperson for the Greek government, Pavlos Marinakis, stated that the authorities had respectfully considered the opinion of the Church expressed by Archbishop Ieronymos during a meeting with Prime Minister Mitsotakis, but there is an executive and legislative authority.

He noted that the government has no intention of confronting the Church. Marinakis also stated that the authorities would not hold a referendum on this issue, as suggested by Archbishop Ieronymos, because the issue of same-sex marriages "affects human rights" and, therefore, cannot be the subject of a referendum.

The government representative stated that the adoption of a law legalizing same-sex marriages is "right and just" because "it is a reality that we cannot turn a blind eye to."

Earlier, the UOJ reported that the Primate of the Hellenic Church called on the authorities to hold a referendum on the issue of same-sex marriages, and the Prime Minister of Greece promised that the law on gay marriages would be passed in February.

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