Archbishop Makarios says Church will not divide faithful into vaccinated and unvaccinated

·

His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia issued a pastoral letter to clergy last night which makes clear that local Greek Orthodox Churches will not divide the faithful into vaccinated and unvaccinated.

“We are facing great difficulty these days because already, in the State of Victoria, they have announced that entry to our Sacred Churches will be prohibited to the faithful who are not vaccinated,” His Eminence said in the letter, which has been circulating on social media this morning.

“Personally, I will never agree with this measure which divides the faithful into vaccinated and unvaccinated. The doors of our Churches will be open to all the faithful. I do not accept that there will be faithful who wish to attend Church and they will not be permitted to do so.”

Archbishop Makarios does acknowledge, however, that vaccinations remain “primarily a medical and scientific issue” and stresses that not all vaccines “are ethically unacceptable.”

“The international scientific community tells us that vaccination is the only solution to confront the pandemic. We therefore listen to the specialists. We urge our people to be vaccinated, without compelling anyone, respecting the freedom of every person,” His Eminence writes.

Churches in New South Wales, Victoria and the Australian Capital Territory remain closed to the faithful due to the current lockdown in those states. Victoria recorded 603 COVID-19 cases today, while NSW had 1,022 new COVID-19 cases and the ACT recorded 16 new cases.

In a statement to The Greek Herald, the Department of Health said:

“Vaccination for COVID-19 is voluntary – as are all vaccinations in Australia – and everyone maintains the option to choose. The Australian Government is a strong supporter of immunisation as a safe and effective way to prevent the spread of many diseases in the community that can cause hospitalisation, serious ongoing health conditions, or even death.

“The COVID-19 pandemic is a public health emergency, and states and territories, who have primary responsibility for public health, are managing the pandemic in their respective jurisdictions based on health advice. We recommend reaching out to the relevant states and territories for advice regarding specific jurisdictions.”

Full Statement in English:

Full Statement in Greek:

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

By subscribing you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Advertisement

Latest News

‘I will never forget you’: Emotional farewell for Greek Consul General in Sydney

An emotional Greek Consul General Yannis Mallikourtis delivered his farewell speech on Monday evening at Business Sydney’s Event Centre.

Adelaide’s St Sophrony Parish raises funds for hall construction

The newly established St Sophrony of Essex parish in Hectorville, Adelaide, held its first official fundraising dinner on Sunday, June 29.

From homelessness to homeowner: Kostas Papadimitropoulos shares his inspirational story

Melbourne man Kostas Papadimitropoulos has turned his life around after being scammed out of his life savings and forced to live in his car.

Sydney Dance Company shines at Athens Epidaurus Festival with ‘Impermanence’

The Sydney Dance Company captivated a crowd of 5,000 at the Odeon of Herodes Atticus last week, performing 'Impermanence.'

Former ATO worker Paraskevi Vula Danassis convicted in $2 billion GST scam

Former Australian Taxation Office employee Paraskevi Vula Danassis has been convicted over her role in a $2 billion GST fraud scheme.

You May Also Like

Golden Dawn member, Giorgos Patelis, granted parole after only one year in prison

Giorgos Patelis, a jailed former member of the now defunct neo-Nazi Golden Dawn party, was released from prison by a parole board on Monday.

Jordan Gogos wins at the GQ Men of the Year Awards

Greek Australian fashion designer Jordan Gogos won 'Creative Force' at this year's GQ Men of the Year Awards.

Three Greek Australians inducted into the inaugural Victorian Multicultural Honour Roll

Three Greek Australians have been inducted in the inaugural Victorian Multicultural Honour Roll for their contributions to multiculturalism.