Former President of the Greek Orthodox Community of South Australia (GOCSA) and Chairman of the Maras Group, Theo Maras, has issued an open letter responding to recent developments surrounding the Very Reverend Father Diogenis Patsouris and the broader public discussion that has followed within the Greek community in South Australia.
Speaking to The Greek Herald, Mr Maras said his primary intention in releasing the statement is to encourage unity and healing within the community, which he believes has been deeply unsettled by recent events.
In the letter, he also reflects on comments made by South Australian MP Tom Koutsantonis and calls on His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia to help restore stability and confidence among the faithful. The full text of Mr Maras’ statement appears below.
Full Statement in English:
I have read the recent statement issued by the Honourable Tom Koutsantonis explaining his motivations for speaking publicly about the situation involving the Church and the Greek community in South Australia.
The events surrounding the treatment of the Very Reverend Father Diogenis Patsouris have shocked and deeply upset many within the Greek community of South Australia. To see a priest who has given his entire life to the Church treated in this way has caused enormous pain and disbelief.
In my view, Tom Koutsantonis has rightly articulated what many in our community have been feeling — that his comments were not made out of disrespect for the Church, but out of genuine concern for the wellbeing and unity of the Greek Orthodox faithful in this state.
Tom has long been a strong supporter of the Greek community and of the Church. Through his advocacy, many Greek organisations — including church institutions that now seek to criticise him — have benefitted from government support. His connection to the Church is personal and deeply felt, and his decision to speak publicly reflects the concerns of many members of the community who have been troubled by recent events.
Of course, matters of Church governance ultimately belong to the Church, and that principle should be respected by all.
However, the Church does not exist in isolation from its faithful. Our churches were built through the sacrifices of generations of Greek Australians, and it is entirely natural that members of the community will express their views when events affecting their Church cause distress or concern. Respectful public discussion should not be dismissed or criticised; it is part of a healthy and engaged community.
Having served as President of the Greek Orthodox Community of South Australia and having been involved in community affairs for many years, I am acutely aware of the long and complex relationship between the Community, the faithful, and the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia. Over time, significant progress had been made in building understanding and cooperation.
Sadly, the way recent events have unfolded risks setting those relations back many decades. In my view, it has reopened old divisions and revived concerns that many believed had long been resolved.
For the good of the Church and the unity of the faithful in South Australia, I respectfully call upon His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia to intervene and help bring healing to this situation. The distress currently felt within parts of the community risks deepening if left unresolved, and I have every confidence that His Eminence’s leadership will restore unity, stability and confidence in the Church.
Our community deserves respect. It deserves to be heard. And it deserves leadership that understands the Church exists to serve its people and unite them in faith.
The Greek Orthodox Church in South Australia was built through the faith, sacrifice and devotion of generations of Greek Australians. It is only natural that those same faithful hope to see their Church guided in a way that strengthens unity, respects its history and honours the people who built it.
Moving forward in unity and mutual respect will only be possible if the concerns of the faithful are acknowledged and addressed with the wisdom and humility that His Eminence can bring.
