Greece’s Holy Synod has vowed to continue its fight against the “unconstitutional” establishment of crematoriums in the country, saying it contravenes Orthodox dogma.

The Church’s reactions follow the ratification of a bill in Parliament last month granting people the right to choose burial rites.

“The state must recognize that religious freedom applies to everyone and, therefore, legislation in favor of atheists or people that are indifferent to religion, cannot be imposed on the majority religious community of the Orthodox church,” the Holy Synod said in a statement.

Past efforts to construct crematoriums have been repeatedly blocked by objections raised by local municipalities and the Church. Up until now, many Greeks who wanted to cremate the bodies of their relatives or friends had been forced to do so abroad.