Archbishop of Greece Ieronymos did not rule out the necessity of a referendum regarding marriage and parenthood of same-sex couples, even though the Church is not an institution to take political decisions.
“There could be a referendum on same-sex couples,” Ieronymos told reporters on Friday.
“To know what we are asking for and why we are asking for it. Let the world understand this. How will those children live in a family with two fathers and two mothers? How will they wake up in the morning at home and what will they see around them? Don’t we have the right to say we don’t like this thing? The Church will not take up arms, but it has the right to inform the people,” he added, among others.
“Citizens must be asked on the issue. A referendum could also be held,” the Archbishop stressed a few days after a meeting with the Prime Minister.
The official position of the Church of Greece on same-sex couples will be decided on upcoming Tuesday, January 23, at an extraordinary meeting of the Holy Synod.
While Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis appears determine to proceed with the relevant legislation, the society seem torn apart on the issue, especially with regards to parenthood by same-sex couples. Objections have been raised also by ministers and MPs of ruling, conservative New Democracy.
Speaking to Bloomberg Mitsotakis said “the issue of marriage equality will be discussed next week and I am very optimistic that it will become a Greek law in the first two weeks of February.”
PS why a referendum on same-sex couple and not one to separate the State from the Church?
