Media reports: No Greek bishop backs same-sex marriage law

A meeting of the Synod of the Greek Orthodox Church. Photo: orthodoxianewsagency

Metropolitans of the Greek Orthodox Church did not support the Greek authorities' bill on the legalisation of same-sex marriage.

According to Greek media, 77 metropolitans out of 80 attended the extraordinary Synod of the Greek Church. All of them opposed the forthcoming bill to legalise gay marriage.

During the Synod session, Metropolitan Nikolaos of Mesogaia, who chairs the Synodal Department of the Greek Church on Bioethics, addressed the assembly.

According to the bishop, the existing legislation in Greece, under which homosexuals enter into cohabitation agreements but are not recognized as a regular family, is fully capable of meeting all the legal requirements of human rights advocates.

The hierarchs, according to media reports, unanimously supported Metropolitan Nikolaos's statement. On 4 February, the Synod's message stating its stance on the issue will be read in all temples of the Greek Church.

In addition, the synodals decided to send relevant letters to members of the Greek Parliament who advocate for the legalization of same-sex marriages.

As reported, the Greek government spokesman said that the authorities will not confront the Church on the issue of same-sex marriage, but the bill on its legalisation will still be passed.

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