“The government’s proposal changes the definition of marriage and the family, a fact that affects all Greek society, all families, all citizens, all parents, all children, and in general social morals. In this case it changes the concept of parental responsibility. It changes the concept of father and mother and their responsibility in raising their children. It changes the composition of the family and the contribution of the two biological parents to family life. The legislative proposal under discussion denies children the right to live with a father and mother, denies the model of father and mother, the otherness that constitutes the human psyche. It denies children the knowledge of their origin and identity. It introduces a new mentality and attitude to education and to the schools of our country”, he emphasizes, among other things, in an announcement made by the Holy Synod of the Catholic Hierarchy of Greeceregarding the legislative initiative regarding marriage for same-sex couples.

In more detail, the announcement:

The government’s legislative initiative on marriage for same-sex couples is promoted under the pretext that it settles backlogs, satisfies fair demands for equality and human rights of some citizens.

First of all, the claim that marriage is simply a legal construction based on the competence of the legislator or on the will of individual groups of citizens based on their sexual orientation or in general their choices is unfounded. The argument that invokes equal rights between citizens is also unfounded, because the heterosexual couple and the same-sex couple are different realities.

In particular, the government’s proposal changes the definition of marriage and family, a fact that affects all Greek society, all families, all citizens, all parents, all children, and in general social mores. In this case, it changes the concept of parental responsibility. It changes the concept of father and mother and their responsibility in raising their children. It changes the composition of the family and the contribution of the two biological parents to family life. The legislative proposal under discussion denies children the right to live with a father and mother, denies the model of father and mother, the otherness that constitutes the human psyche. It denies children the knowledge of their origin and identity. It introduces a new mentality and mindset in education and in the schools of our country.

The settlement of outstanding issues concerning children who were for various reasons the responsibility of same-sex couples or financial and inheritance issues could be settled by legislation without adopting marriage for same-sex couples, with changes that have no precedent in the history of mankind.

This proposal is a setback to our legal culture, a setback to morals and culture in general. It is a point of decline of Greek society, every society that wants to be called human, is a product of arrogance and self-centeredness that knows no limits to individual desire and will.

We are troubled by the submissiveness of our political world to the wishes and whims of a certain internationally promoted ideological trend. Greece is a country with a centuries-old, rich tradition that culturally nourished European and world culture. It cannot deny its tradition and identity and submit to ideological proposals and perceptions without moral and cultural background, without wisdom and sensitivity to cultural and religious heritage.

We, the Catholic Bishops in Greece, in agreement with the universal Catholic Church, confess that all people without exception, whatever their situation and life, are called with the same love by God to know and accept him in Christ gift of the fullness of life. All Christians must keep this call before our eyes. In addition, as pastors, we also have to explain what cooperates with God’s completion of man and what opposes it, according to the Word of God and the historical experience of the Church.

We therefore want to declare our complete opposition to the change in the meaning of marriage and the family that is being attempted to be imposed on society. We repeat that marriage is a bond between a man and a woman, exclusive and permanent, its natural fruit is children, in the upbringing of which the father and the mother have joint and inalienable obligations, which the state must respect since they also pre-exist of the same.

As pastors of the Catholic Church in Greece we want to emphasize that “the call to marriage is inscribed in the very nature of man and woman as created by the Creator…even if the sanctity of this institution is not evident everywhere in the same way. There is, however, in all cultures a sense of the greatness of the union of marriage. The happiness of man and of human and Christian society is closely connected with the successful union of marriage and family. (Catechism of the Catholic Church, paragraphs 1602 and 1603)

The conscientious Christian, the consistent Catholic believer, but also the citizen of good will who aims for the common good of society, precisely because he believes in the fundamental importance and sanctity of the institution of marriage and the family, cannot accept socially harmful regulations of the announced promoted legislative initiative.

For the Holy Synod of the Catholic Hierarchy of Greece

Bishop of Syros, Thira and Crete, President of ISKIE, Petros and Archbishop of Naxos – Tinos – Andros – Mykonos and Chios, Secretary of ISKIE Joseph.