“The Georgian church has been the target of severe attacks from certain forces”, the Georgian patriarchate has stated earlier today, adding that the situation became ‘even more tense and aggressive’ in Georgian media following the July 5-6 demonstrations in Tbilisi.
This is why the patriarchate says, the priests who do not want to speak with media can officially refuse to do so in a written letter to the heads of TV companies. However, if their decision is neglected by jouirnalists, police should interfere.
Right-wing groups gathered on Rustaveli Avenue in protest to Tbilisi Pride march that was scheduled to be held on July 5, but was later cancelled by its organisers. Photo: Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge
The patriarchate says that Mtavari Arkhi TV, TV Pirveli and Formula TV are on top of the media outlets, which are using not only hate speech, but threats and calls for retaliation.
Often the journalists of above TV channels (as we assume following the instructions from their directors) share partial assessments and groundless accusations instead of providing objective information, deliberately distort facts and try to make the respondents lose their temper by asking provocative questions”, the statement reads.
It further says that by doing so, journalists use the responses out of context and make up stories in such a way to make viewers think the priests are violent.
Tbilisi Pride is a civic movement which opposes homo/transphobia and fights to overcome it through exercising the constitutional right of assembly and manifestation. Photo: Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge
Although the patriarchate says that there has been ‘certain misconduct’ from some of the priests during the counter rally against Tbilisi Pride events earlier this month, it notes that the cases are being deliberately generalised on the entire church to make it look violent.
Accusing the journalists of violating the norms of ethics against the church and its members, the patriarchate says members of political parties are also contributing to insulting the church instead of trying to bring things back to normal.
Patriarch Ilia II’s ‘locum tenens’ has addressed the crowd at Kashveti Church after the violent attacks of the right-wing groups on July 5, that the Georgian society will again unite against LGBT activities anytime in the future. Photo: Nino Alavidze/Agenda.ge
A total of 55 people, including 53 representatives of various media have been injured during the confrontation in front of the parliament of Georgia and elsewhere.on July 5 following the violent attacks from the right-wing groups.
The patriarchate, which has been openly against Tbilisi Pride has urged the international community in Georgia to refrain from supporting and encouraging LGBT people, saying that the ‘drastic interference’ of foreign officials ‘in our public and spiritual life’ through supporting Tbilisi Pride events ‘is a matter of severe concern and [is] unacceptable’.