The prime minister accused the president of the Hellenic Solution of dividing the Greeks with his statements, while at the same time he commented on the fierce attack of Constantinos Floros against Vassilis Grammenos in the Parliament.
Speaking to citizens in Drosia Chalkida at noon on Friday (26.04.24), Kyriakos Mitsotakis fired shots at Kyriakos Velopoulos, who a little earlier and in response to Archbishop Hieronymos, claimed that his statements “are being used as tools by the ND and the prime minister”.
“I visited together with Archbishop Hieronymos some very important structures of the Archdiocese. Let’s also send a message of love, unity and solidarity and build a rampart against those who, in the most obscene way, plunder the Christian faith. It’s as if some people are more Christian than others,” said the prime minister.
And he continued: “These are unacceptable things that divide Greeks, especially at a time when we need to be united. We may be political rivals, but we are not enemies. We may disagree, but we will neither swear nor beat our opponents to the pulpit.”
The Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and the Archbishop of Athens Ieronymos visited the “Vangelizmos tis Theotokou” kindergarten in Dilesi Boeotia, a structure of the Holy Archdiocese.
There, they sent a resounding message about the eternally strong cooperation between State and Church.
Kyriakos Mitsotakis emphasized: “Our cooperation with the Church, institutionally, was, is and remains close”. Furthermore, referring to the upcoming Holy Week, he underlined: “Entering this holy season, the Archbishop’s words about love and respect are more relevant than ever.”
Expressing his satisfaction for the great social work of the Church, the Prime Minister stated: “We look forward to the social footprint of the Church, which complements the state structures.”
The visit of Mr. Mitsotakis and Mr. Ieronymos to the “Evangelismos tis Theotokou” nursery school is a strong symbolic act that reinforces the message of unity and joint action between the State and the Church for the benefit of society as a whole.
The Archbishop of Athens Hieronymos was clear that the Church follows its own line and not “what Kyriakos Velopoulos or any other politician says” in his statements from Delesi, noting that “these are holy days and we should not spoil them for trifles”.
“These are holy days and we should not spoil them for trifles”, he said initially to add that “the Church calls us all to love one another, to respect one another and to fight alone and with others . What this fight is is determined by what each person believes and what they aim for. This is also our difference. He who aims at his own interest tells things from his own point of view”, said the Archbishop initially.
Afterwards, he added that “we will not do anything other than what the word of God provides, we will not follow orders and lines, nor what Kyriakos Velopoulos or any other politician says. We respect opinions, we count them and we do what God says: we love all people.”
When asked by journalists if there is a “Christian meter”, he answered, “no, never. Only love, forgiveness, fellowship and cooperation. Especially in the area of Greece, in our country, especially in these times, cooperation is essential. There are many things that separate us that make us different, but we are looking at how we can move forward with this collaboration.”
And he added: “I can’t even go to things that the Gospel doesn’t say, no matter what the prime minister says, I look at what the Gospel says. He too may have his principles. I cannot identify myself nor can you identify with personal interests or positions that tomorrow will have no value.
“There is the word of God, the Church says I do not discriminate. We must understand that there is a difference in dealing with the issues. The politician sees them differently and the believer differently. We love all people” added Archbishop Hieronymos.
“It is time to think seriously. Our country needs partners and cooperation” added Mr. Hieronymos and concluded that the Church moves “always with what the Gospel and the word of God tell us”.
He also emphasized that “we are in times that require cooperation”, while when asked if there is going to be a special circular to priests ahead of Holy Week to guard the climate of the days, he replied that “we are not going to do anything more than ,what we do every year”.
“The declaration of Hieronymos is being used as a pre-election tool by the ND and Kyriakos Mitsotakis” replies Kyriakos Velopoulos after the resounding message of the Archbishop.
And he adds: “Just as the hierarchy should not lead the faithful to specific political spaces. Unfortunately, however, the Archbishop’s statement is being used as a pre-election tool by the ND and K. Mitsotakis himself.”
REGARDING MY FALSE STATEMENT COMMENTED BY ARCHBISHOP JEROME
– FOR E.L. THE CHURCH IS THE TOTALITY OF THE PEOPLE, THE CLERGY AND THE HIERARCHY.
– THE STATEMENT OF THE ARCHBISHOP IS TOTALLY AGREEABLE WITH US:
– NO POLITICIAN CAN GIVE…
REGARDING MY FALSE STATEMENT COMMENTED BY ARCHBISHOP JEROME
– FOR E.L. THE CHURCH IS THE TOTALITY OF THE PEOPLE, THE CLERGY AND THE HIERARCHY.
– THE STATEMENT OF THE ARCHBISHOP IS TOTALLY AGREEABLE WITH US:
– NO POLITICIAN CAN GIVE… pic.twitter.com/h9dRdUQVuq— Kyriakos Velopoulos (@velopky) April 26, 2024
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