Bishop apologizes to Filis over insults

Bishop Damaskinos of Didymoteicho in northern Greece has sent a letter to Education Minister Nikos Filis apologizing for the crude insults he has been subjected to by fellow church officials.

Damaskinos said he was “deeply aggrieved” over the “uncalled for and unacceptable” language used against the minister. He said the comments were not in line with the Christian ethos and “of course they do not represent all of us [Church officials].”

Damaskinos said that differences of opinion and outlook are only natural in a democratic society and that showing respect to people’s personality is a Christian stipulation and a precondition for democracy.