A Greek Orthodox archbishop is not reacting well to the country’s proposed civil unions law.

Members of the Greek parliament will vote before Christmas on re-drafting a civil partnerships law from 2008, which explicitly banned same-sex couples.

Greece was in 2013 condemned by the European Court of Human Rights, which ruled that it should not have excluded same-sex couples.

The news hasn’t gone down well with Bishop Amvrosios of Kalavryta – who went on a foul-mouthed internnet rant against gays, according to the Greek Reporter.

Bishop Amvrosios of Kalavryta ranted said of gay couples: “Spit on them! Deprecate them! Vote against them!



“They are not human! They are freaks of nature! Mentally and spiritually sick! They are mentally insane!

“Don’t hesitate, then! Wherever you see them, spit on them! Don’t leave them in peace! They are dangerous!”

The Greek Orthodox Church is strongly opposed, claiming the law is a “devaluation of the holy concept of the Christian family”, and “devaluation of human life”.

Despite offering partnership rights, the bill would not allow same-sex couples to adopt children.

The ministry has said a discussion about whether same-sex couples can adopt will take place in the future.

Justice Minister Nikos Paraskevopoulos said civil rights, inheritance issues, taxation and public employee law rights will be covered under civil partnerships.