Controversy over Greek Orthodox priests: ‘Silence is to blame for deception’

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SA Greens MLC Robert Simms has slammed The Advertiser in state parliament for slamming a church leader, suggesting tougher privacy laws should be introduced.

The Adelaide newspaper earlier this week published a story accusing Greek Orthodox priest Archimandrite John Christodoulos of receiving significant financial support from elderly parishioners and using the gay dating app Grindr.

Star Observer reported on the allegations that plagued the Greek Orthodox Church in Australia.

Public humiliation

It may be time to review the law to ensure intimate messages are also protected to avoid public humiliation, he said.

There’s nothing shameful about being gay. There is nothing shameful about chatting on dating apps or meeting people through these sites.

Adelaide City Councilor Keiran Snape called The Advertisers’ decision to publish the story disheartening.

In general, I think religious groups need to make LGBTI people feel more comfortable and welcoming and that’s a position we should always defend, he said. Only in the most extreme circumstances would I see it as acceptable to someone? It’s just not right.

“Silence, shame to blame for the deception”

LGBT rights activist Rodney Croome AM hoped the response from the Orthodox Church and the wider Greek-Australian community would be greater acceptance of LGBTIQI people.

The message is that the silence, shame and stigma of same-sex attraction are to blame for deception, hopelessness and double standards, he said.

Greek community newspaper Neos Kosmos cited sources close to Christodoulos to deny the report and claimed it was a case of impersonation.

Since the original publication, the Archdiocese has said that an internal and confidential investigation into the allegations will be carried out.

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