THE predominant Orthodox Church in Bulgaria has welcomed a ban on school teaching about “non-traditional sexual orientations”, despite protests from human groups and appeals for action by the European Union.
“We are grateful to the people’s representatives for reaching agreement on common values for Bulgarian society,” said the Church’s Holy Synod.
“Issues regarding gender, family, upbringing, and education are of strategic importance not only for Bulgaria’s national and constitutional identity as an EU member, but also for the preservation and future of its people and the whole human race.”
The statement follows last week’s overwhelming parliamentary vote by 159 to 22 for an Education Law amendment, tabled by Bulgaria’s pro-Russia Vazrazhdane party, banning the “propagation, promotion, or incitement” in the education system of “ideas and views related to non-traditional sexual orientation and/or gender identity other than biological”.
The Synod said that the Orthodox Church shared the “worries and concerns” of parents and educators about current education trends, and had maintained a “consistent position” on the “centuries-old inviolable Christian value” of male-female relationships.
“For Christianity, there is a single concept of gender that derives from the biological structure and nature of mankind as God’s creation,” the statement said. “This show of unity between political forces on limiting ideologies contrary to Christian morality and common sense should continue into other legislative initiatives.”
Appeals to the EU to act against the law, however, have come from human-rights groups, including Forbidden Colours, an LGBT advocacy movement, which says that the measure is “disturbingly reminiscent” of existing laws in Hungary and Russia, and will exacerbate anti-LGBT pressure in Eastern Europe.
“This law is a direct assault on the fundamental human rights of LGBTIQ+ individuals, particularly children — it is deeply troubling to see Bulgaria adopting tactics from Russia’s anti-human-rights playbook,” a statement from Forbidden Colours said.
“The EU must demonstrate that it will not tolerate such blatant violations within its member-states.”
Preaching on Sunday at the Theological Academy in Sofia, Bishop Pakhomiy (Lozanov) urged citizens of Bulgaria to learn from “the sinfulness of the inhabitants of Sodom and Gomorrah”.
He said: “The souls of our children are now being especially tempted, as they are barred from learning about God and developing virtues that, for more than 2000 years, have ennobled and spiritually uplifted us.”