Rift with Church largely bridged

The statements on Friday by Archbishop Ieronymos and Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, during a joint visit to facilities of the Archdiocese of Athens in Dilesi, Viotia, Central Greece, demonstrated in the most emphatic way that the rift in relations between the Church and the government over the legislation on same-sex marriage has been largely bridged. 

Both sides are said to be reaping the benefits from the closing of a front which was mutually damaging. 

For the government, the archbishop's reference to Greek Solution leader Kyriakos Velopoulos is of particular importance, given the recent significant shift of voters toward the nationalist party - not only from ruling New Democracy. This trend was particularly strengthened after the passage of the controversial bill in the Parliament.

Associates of Ieronymos have conveyed the dismay of the Archdiocese...