Archbishop Ieronymos under fire from leftist minister
![Archbishop Ieronymos under fire from leftist minister](https://www.ekathimerini.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/skourletis_web--2.jpg)
One day after Archbishop Ieronymos met with conservative opposition leader Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Interior Minister Panos Skourletis on Thursday accused the head of the Greek Orthodox Church of seeking to play a role in domestic politics.
“It is not a sign of respect toward the Christian community that the [Church] leadership is flirting with a different role that aspires to influence the country’s political affairs,” the leftist minister said during a SYRIZA party event in Maroussi, north of Athens, on Thursday.
“I have come to conclude – and this is my own opinion – that lately there are forces within the Church that wish to coordinate their stance with the aspirations of New Democracy,” Skourletis said.
Speaking at a Church of Greece charity Wednesday, Mitsotakis said that if he becomes prime minister he will not seek changes to the Greek constitution regarding the status of the church.