Greek Orthodox church bans lawmakers who backed same-sex marriage in Greece

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After the recent legalisation of same-sex marriage in Greece, the Orthodox Church in Corfu, Greece has taken action to impose a religious ban on two lawmakers who supported the reform.

AP News revealed that church authorities made the decision after two opposition lawmakers committed “the deepest spiritual and moral error” by voting in favour of the newly introduced same-sex marriage law.

The Church of Greece actively spoke out against these proposed changes and tried to pressure lawmakers to reject them.

“For us, these two (local) lawmakers cannot consider themselves active members of the Church,” a statement from the bishopric of Corfu said this week.

protest
Protesters previously came together in Greece to oppose the same-sex marriage bill. Photo: NBC News.

The statement also mentioned that the lawmakers should not participate in the important Christian ceremony of communion, avoid attending any Church gatherings, and not receive formal recognition from Church officials at official events or local meetings.

“We exhort them to repent for their impropriety,” the statement added.

The bishopric then went on to praise a different lawmaker from Mitsotakis’ New Democracy party for voting against the law.

“That is the kind of politician, irrespective of other convictions, that we need in our country,” it said.

The new law has not only legalised same-sex marriage, but also granted full parental rights to married same-sex couples with children. However, it restricted gay couples from parenthood through surrogate mothers in Greece.

Source: AP News.

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