Metropolitan Dimitriados Ignatios: Velopoulos is provocative and unacceptable

“His exhortation will have no impact,” he said in an interview

Metropolitan Dimitriados Ignatios called the exhortation of Kyriakos Velopoulos to the Members of Parliament who voted on the bill for the marriage of same-sex couples, not to go to the churches on Easter days so as not to divide the flock, as provocative and unacceptable.

“I think it is purely provocative and unacceptable” said Metropolitan Dimitriados on the First Program of Hellenic Radio 91.6 and 105.8, referring to Kyriakos Velopoulos and his exhortation to the Members of Parliament not to go to the churches on Easter days. “Let me say this, although I don’t usually speak in such a way, but nobody can talk about the Church space in this way and actually urging things to be done, that’s what 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» he characteristically commented.

“There is no way that a person who comes to the meek and humble of heart 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 agrees, with a politician. I believe that such exhortations should be avoided and I am very sorrybecause when one wants to lead people as a person in charge, one cannot lead in such situations” added Metropolitan Dimitriados.

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 as well as those who did not vote for it, Mr. Metropolitan Dimitriados Ignatios pointed out “I will not do any separation. 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”.