Greek Parliament Approves Same-Sex Marriage, Stirring Debate within Orthodox Church

OCP News Service – 17/02/2024

Athens- Greece: The Greek Parliament voted to legalize same-sex marriage on February 15,2024, making Greece the first Orthodox Christian-majority country to do so. While many celebrate this as a step towards equality, the decision has triggered strong reactions and debate within the influential Greek Orthodox Church.

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis tweeted “The vote has passed: as of tonight, Greece is proud to become the 16th EU country to legislate marriage equality. This is a milestone for human rights, reflecting today’s Greece – a progressive, and democratic country, passionately committed to European values.”

Church Expresses Disappointment:

The Holy Synod, the governing body of the Church, expressed its “profound disappointment” with the legislation, calling it “contrary to the teachings and traditions of the Orthodox Church.” Archbishop Ieronymos of Athens and All Greece stated, “Marriage, as instituted by God, is the union of a man and a woman… This decision undermines the foundations of the family and society itself.”

The Church emphasizes the importance of the traditional family unit based on marriage between a man and a woman. It views same-sex marriage as a deviation from this divine order and fears its potential impact on societal values and morals. Additionally, concerns exist about potential legal ramifications, such as the future extension of surrogacy rights to same-sex couples, which the Church also opposes.

Internal Discussion and Dialogue:

Despite the official stance, not all within the Church hold identical views. Some clergy members have expressed more supportive perspectives, urging for understanding and dialogue on issues related to sexuality and gender identity. However, public pronouncements of such views remain limited due to the hierarchical structure and potential repercussions.

The Church anticipates engaging in discussions with the government and relevant stakeholders to understand the implications of the new law and explore opportunities for pastoral care and support for all individuals, regardless of their sexual orientation. It emphasizes the importance of upholding its core values while navigating the evolving social landscape.

Greek Church Denounces Same-Sex Marriage Bill, Vows Unified Response

Source:

OCP News Service