Federal MPs will discuss gay marriage with their constituents. This follows a bill that was passed in parliament on Thursday, and they will find a variety of views in the Greek community.
A spokesperson for the support network “Greek and Gay”, said the group welcomed any move towards recognising same-sex marriage.
“It’s about time we were treated as equal and it’s about time we were able to get married,” the spokesperson, who wished to remain anonymous said.
A Greens motion, calling on MPs to consult voters on equal treatment of same sex couples, was passed by a single vote in parliament on Thursday.
St. Andrew’s Greek Orthodox Theological College Academic Secretary Dr. Philip Kariatlis, ruled out same sex marriage within the Greek Orthodox tradition.
“Marriage is there to reflect the love of God, and the love of God is unitive, complementary and life-giving,” he said.
“And, as such, that cannot happen within same-sex couples, so the Orthodox Church wouldn’t recognise gay marriage.”
Dr. Kariatlis said the church would have no objection to equal legal rights for same-sex couples.
“Whatever rights married couples have, there’s no reason these couples shouldn’t have these rights,” he said.
He said the Greek concept of sin, ‘amartia’, was better understood as ‘missing the mark’.
“Homosexuality, we would see as a misdirected energy, not being directed at God,” he said.
“And what is very big for the Orthodox Church is you condemn the sin, but not the sinner.”
Dr. Kariatlis stressed the role of the Church was not to emphasise rules, but to find Christ.
“The role of the Church is to continue to show love,” he said.
(source: neos kosmos)
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