Metropolitan Dimitrias Ignatios: Provocative and unacceptable Velopoulos – His exhortation will not resonate

Metropolitan Dimitriados Ignatios spoke at the exhortation of Kyriakos Velopoulos, from the floor of the Parliament, to the deputies who have voted for the same-sex marriage bill, not to go to the churches on Easter days so as not to divide the flock.

“I think it is purely provocative and unacceptable,” he said on the First Program of Hellenic Radio 91.6 and 105.8 and added: “Let me say this, although I don’t usually speak in such a way, but no one can speak about the space of the Church in this way and in fact actually urging things to be done, this comes out in the end. We all know language, as we use words. But I think that in the end it has no impact, especially for the people who will be at the services these days. There is no way that a person who comes to the meek and humble heart of Jesus, to the Bridegroom Christ, to the one who forgives His crusaders, will ever want to use the space of the Church and indeed of worship, to react to something with which he does not agree , with a politician. I think that such exhortations should be avoided and I am very sorry, because when one wants to lead people as a person in charge, one cannot lead in such situations.”

When asked whether during Holy Week he will accept the whole world into the bosom of the Church and more specifically those who voted for the bill for the marriage of same-sex couples, but also those who did not vote for it, Metropolitan Dimitriados Ignatios made it clear that he will not make any distinction . “Alas. We are already accepting all people especially during Holy Week. You know, I think our tradition saves it and our culture. We must finally understand that we are in a democratic state. Things happen that one might disagree with, but in the end we all have to be united. What awaits us is much more important than these little things that often consume us and divide us. Therefore, if someone does not accept the whole world, he will not be a Church. Christ wants us all, for us he was crucified, for us all he rose. And he is waiting for us to follow him and rejoice in His Resurrection all together,” he said.