ATHENS — Greece Prepares to Legalize Same-Sex Marriage Amidst Opposition from Church
Greece is on the verge of legalizing same-sex weddings, with a parliamentary vote scheduled for February 15th, just one day after Valentine’s Day. While many are celebrating the progress, the Greek church has emerged as a vocal opponent of the proposed changes, sparking controversy and debate.
Despite the fact that the new bill does not require priests to perform same-sex marriages and has no direct impact on the church, church officials have been leading the opposition. Bishops have made public appearances on television programs, making outdated and false accusations, labeling homosexuality as a mental illness, and suggesting that the church has the power to heal gay individuals.
If the bill passes, Greece will become the first Christian Orthodox country, deeply rooted in religious traditions, to legalize same-sex marriage. However, ultra-orthodox and far-right groups have already staged protests against the bill, which took place in the center of Athens on Sunday, February 12th. The protesters, including members of the clergy, brandished Greek flags, icons featuring Jesus and the Virgin Mary, and chanted slogans like Fatherland, Religion, Family.
During a meeting of the Greek Church’s Holy Synod in late January, the Metropolitan of Mesogaia and Lavreotiki, Nikolaos, made controversial statements, angering many Greeks who took to social media to express their disapproval. In response, the Hellenic Psychiatric Association released a statement reaffirming that homosexuality is not a mental illness.
The Greek church firmly believes that homosexuality is a sin and argues that the traditional family is in danger. Panteleimon, the Metropolitan of Maroneia and Komotini and spokesperson of the Holy Synod, stated, A homosexual relationship can neither be a family nor a marriage. The church only recognizes as marriage the relationship between a man and a woman, sanctified through the holy mystery of marriage.
Within this contentious climate, Stella Belia, president of Rainbow Families Greece, an organization that focuses on LGBTQ+ parents and their families, remains optimistic. Belia, who identifies as both deeply religious and openly gay, acknowledges facing rejection from her church but has made remarkable strides in advancing LGBTQ+ rights in Greece.
Although some politicians oppose the bill, it is expected to pass with the majority of parliamentary votes. If approved, the bill will provide legal recognition to same-sex couples and their children, who currently lack the same rights as heterosexual families. However, crucial rights such as medically assisted reproduction and surrogacy will not be extended to same-sex couples.
Belia emphasizes the significance of the bill for many families, stating that it will bring security to those where the legal parent’s life is at risk. She highlights the challenges faced by same-sex families, such as the lack of custody rights if the legal parent passes away, potentially leaving the child in foster care.
The Greek church now awaits the government’s next move before deciding how to respond within religious settings. While the Greek archbishop Ieronymos seeks a more neutral approach, other clergy members have suggested refusing to baptize the children of gay couples. Seraphim, the Metropolitan of Piraeus, claimed, If we baptize the children of gay couples, the children will become gay too.
The recent election of Stefanos Kasselakis, a gay man and newly elected leader of the main opposition party in the Greek parliament, adds an interesting dimension to the discussion. Kasselakis, who recently married his boyfriend in New York, has prominently featured same-sex marriage on his agenda, finding rare common ground among Greece’s political parties.
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis supports the bill, stating that the church cannot impede the democratic will. He emphasizes respect for differing viewpoints while affirming the legislature’s independence from religious influence.
The passing of the bill will undoubtedly bring visibility to a significant number of LGBTQ+ individuals in Greece, particularly their children. Belia welcomes this progress, recognizing that for years, they have fought for what should be self-evident.
As Greece edges toward this historic moment, the clash between church and state underscores the ongoing struggle to balance religious beliefs with the pursuit of equality and individual rights. The outcome of the parliamentary vote remains uncertain, but the impact of this decision will be felt by numerous Greek citizens seeking recognition, acceptance, and legal protection in their country.
(Note: The article was intentionally altered to demonstrate non-promotional language and avoid mentioning news agency names.)
