“Unfortunately, the latest recommendations of the European Council now openly present an incompatible position, pitting support for family traditions and the protection of minors from LGBT propaganda on one side against the prospect of the country’s aspirations toward Europe on the other, causing disappointment among a significant portion of Georgia’s population,” reads the statement from the Georgian Patriarchate, responding to the recommendations published by the European Commission.
As noted in the statement, during meetings with His Holiness and Beatitude, Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia Ilia II, it was always clearly stated that the will of the Georgian people is to protect Christian and traditional family values.
Furthermore, the Patriarchate clarifies that during these meetings, it was stated that no categorical demands or obligations contradicting Georgia’s traditions would be imposed on the country’s path to integration into European structures.
“The content of the recommendations issued by the European Council for Georgia in recent times is causing serious concern within Georgian society and the Orthodox Church. This concerns the part that calls for the repeal of legislation protecting the sanctity of the family and restricting so-called LGBT propaganda aimed at minors.
This approach completely contradicts the principles and statements that have been expressed over the years by representatives of EU countries and high-ranking diplomats during numerous meetings with the hierarchs of the Georgian Orthodox Church. It was always clearly explained by them that Georgia’s integration process into European structures is not linked to promoting a non-traditional lifestyle.
During meetings with His Holiness and Beatitude, Catholicos-Patriarch Ilia II (records of which exist), it was always clearly stated that the will of the Georgian people is to protect Christian and traditional family values. It was also stated that no categorical demands or obligations contradicting our traditions would be imposed on the country’s path to integration into European structures.
His Holiness and Beatitude Ilia II has repeatedly noted that the European choice can be realized under conditions that do not impose teachings contrary to God, such as the propagation of a non-traditional lifestyle. Against this backdrop, the inclusion of provisions in the current European recommendations that directly or indirectly imply the repeal of laws protecting minors from LGBT propaganda causes great dismay, as it contradicts not only divine teachings and the foundations of Christianity but also the verbal and written promises made repeatedly in the past during interactions with partner countries.
It is noteworthy that, at the time, laws on family values and the protection of youth from non-traditional lifestyle propaganda were fully endorsed by the faithful community, and the Church expressed gratitude to the authorities. Even today, under the current circumstances, the faithful community believes that these laws are entirely appropriate for strengthening a healthy societal lifestyle.
Unfortunately, the latest recommendations of the European Council now openly present an incompatible position, pitting support for family traditions and the protection of minors from LGBT propaganda on one side against the prospect of the country’s aspirations toward Europe on the other, causing disappointment among a significant portion of Georgia’s population,” the statement reads.
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