The Holy Synod of the Greek Orthodox Church announced on Tuesday that it “categorically opposes” Athens’ plan to legalize same-sex marriage, which is due to be submitted to parliament next month, AFP and Agerpres reported.

“The state establishes laws, but this parameter does not deprive the church of freedom of expression, nor does it exempt it from the obligation to inform people (…) If it is silent, it carries a heavy responsibility,” the Holy Father said. The Synod at the end of the extraordinary meeting, which lasted more than 5 hours.

“Our Holy Church is categorically against the proposed bill,” he added in a statement.

The Metropolitans of the Greek Orthodox Church also decided to send letters expressing their position to 300 parliamentarians, address the faithful of all churches in Greece on February 4 and inform them through postcards of their opposition to the draft law, which should be adopted in the next few days in the Council of Ministers.

According to them, the bill will contribute to the “abolition of fatherhood and motherhood” and the “disappearance of gender roles in the family.”

“This legislative initiative condemns future children to grow up without a father or a mother in conditions of mixed parental roles,” they added.

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis recently announced that the bill should be considered in parliament by mid-February, despite opposition from the Church, which has a large influence on society and part of the conservative camp from which it originates.

“We listen to the opinion of the church, but the state issues laws, not co-legislators with the church,” Mitsotakis insisted, presenting his project.

Greeks still appear to be divided on the issue, with two recently published polls showing 49% oppose same-sex marriage and 52% support it.