Georgian Parliament Speaker accuses EU-linked domestic groups of attacking Church, warns EU Ambassador to distance himself

Georgian Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili on Wednesday sharply criticised organisations contracting with the European Union Embassy in Georgia, accusing them of attacking the Georgian Orthodox Patriarchate.

The controversy stems from comments made by these organisations regarding the Patriarchate's statement on the domestic law on family values.

In a social media message, Papuashvili noted that Paweł Herczyński, the European Union Ambassador to Georgia, must disavow the actions of the contractor organisations or be seen as personally endorsing their criticism of the Church.

“Organisations contracted by the EU Embassy yesterday launched an attack on the Georgian Patriarchate, following its statement regarding the law on family values. Herczynski is expected to either disavow these actions, or it will be interpreted as a direct assault by Herczynski on the Church”, the Speaker said.

The Georgian Orthodox Church on Monday voiced “great disappointment” regarding recent recommendations from European partners, stating that provisions directly or indirectly implying the annulment of laws protecting minors from LGBT propaganda were causing serious concern.