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Greek politicians and the country’s powerful Orthodox Church have joined in condemning a retired
bishop who claimed that women aren’t raped “without wanting it.”
ATHENS, Greece – Greek politicians and the country’s powerful Orthodox Church joined in condemning
a retired bishop who claimed Friday that women aren’t raped “without wanting it.”
In an interview with private Skai TV, Metropolitan Chrysostomos of Dodoni supported the Church’s
official position against abortion, but added that there should be no abortion even in the case of rape.
He then proceeded to question the notion of rape itself, saying: “A woman does not sit and get raped
without wanting it.” He added that there can be no conception as a result of rape.
“We support victims of rape unconditionally,” added government spokesman Yannis Oikonomou.
The Church of Greece’s ruling body, the Holy Synod, also condemned Chrysostomos’ remarks as
“unacceptable for an Orthodox cleric and offensive for human beings and especially for women and
victims of rape.”
“The treatment of women, without exception, as equal to men and their protection from any abuse are
the Church of Greece’s official position,” a Holy Synod statement said.