The position that the children of same-sex couples should not be baptized until they are of an age where they can decide for themselves about it, was expressed by Archbishop Hieronymos.
As the Archbishop argued, this is something that results from the changes that are underway (including with the marriage of same-sex couples) and call into question whether the child grows up in an environment of Christian principles.
Specifically, to a question that was put to him on the issue of baptism after the meeting he had this morning with the Archbishop of America Elpidophoros, the Archbishop of Athens and All Greece replied:
“If baptism takes place at a young age, it is because within the Church the feeling was created that the child grows up in an environment of Christian principles. Therefore, there was no need for catechism, because it took place within the environment. Now that things are changing, no we are against children. Children we love and care about more than anyone else. The Church will wait for these children to reach an age and when they grow up and wish to be baptized they will be baptized.”
For his part, Mr. Elpidophoros, responding to the same issue, said that “I have nothing to add, His Beatitude said everything”.
Answering other questions from journalists about the current situation, Archbishop Hieronymos also emphasized that “human freedom is a very important thing, and we must all take this into account. Both the Church and the State. Neither should the Church have the bayonet ready, but neither does the State want to put shackles in any place in our homeland”.