‘God Condemns Pussy Riot,’ Church Official Says
26/6/2012
Moscow Times
Russian Orthodox church spokesman Vsevolod Chaplin said God told him in a divine revelation that he condemns members of female punk band Pussy Riot for their scandalous performance in Christ the Savior Cathedral.
“I am convinced that God condemns what they’ve done. I’m convinced that this sin will be punished in this life and the next,” the priest told reporters during a round table organized by The New Times magazine.
Chaplin added that “God revealed this to me just like he revealed the Gospels to the church.”
In a possible nod to the ongoing court case against three suspected band members accused of hooliganism, Chaplin said, “There’s only one way out: repentance.”
The band’s performance of “Holy Mother, Throw Putin Out!” on Feb. 21 has polarized liberal and conservative opinion in the country.
Since their detention, the jailed band members have become known worldwide, with Amnesty International declaring them prisoners of conscience and calling for their release.
