Greece condemns bishop's verbal attack on Muslims

The Greek government is condemning anti-Islamic comments by a senior Orthodox Church official, following protests from the country's Muslim community. 

 

Government spokesman Yiorgos Petalotis says the remarks by Serapheim, bishop of Piraeus, "foment racial and religious hatred." 

 

Commenting on the New Year's Day bombing of a congregation in Alexandria, Egypt, the bishop described Islam as "a catastrophic worship" that's incompatible with Greece's constitution. 

 

Serapheim urged the government to scrap the planned construction of a mosque in Athens for the city's growing Muslim population. 

 

Petalotis said Tuesday the government condemns such remarks "and rejects the mentality they express."

 

 

 

 

 

(AP)