Cypriot Theologian: Church should review its attitude toward LGBT
Theodoros Kyriakou urged the Church to "dare" to openly discuss the topic of homosexuality and acknowledge that there are homosexuals among its clergy
Cypriot theologian Theodoros Kyriakou stated that the Orthodox Church is obligated to reconsider its pastoral practice regarding LGBT in light of modern scientific data. He made the comments on Sigma TV in Cyprus, and the discussion was later published on the Sigmalive YouTube channel.
The theologian noted that in the New Testament, the Apostle Paul mentions homosexuals with condemnation. However, according to him, the Gospel regarding LGBT issues is outdated: it "remains a historical text" and expresses the views of its era. At that time, Kyriakou claims, it was believed that "homosexuality is a choice."
Modern research, according to him, leads to different conclusions. He referenced American evangelical churches, which, as he claims, despite all their conservatism, conducted corresponding research and came to the conclusion that "70% of homosexuals cannot change."
"From the moment this data appeared, the Church must reconsider its pastoral practice," Kyriakou declared, adding that the Church should acknowledge the presence in its ranks of clergy with homosexual inclinations, including married ones.
The theologian also noted that Pope Francis blessed same-sex couples, and in his assessment, the Orthodox Church takes a "completely excessive, conservative" position on this issue: "We are afraid of this. We don't want to discuss it." He gave an example of a case when one of the monasteries in Cyprus sent an email to two gays living together asking them not to come anymore.
The theologian also criticized attempts to "correct" orientation. According to him, there was a cleric who gave parents hope to "change" their children, however they "returned much more unhappy than they were" and did not change. "Who gave him the right to change people?" he declared.
In his conviction, the Church "must dare to address this topic openly, rather than hide behind it."
Kyriakou is known for his sharp criticism of Metropolitan Tychikos and support of Archbishop Georgios.
Earlier, the UOJ reported that the Finnish Church under the Constantinople Patriarchate supported LGBT and gender rights.
