Yahoo – AFP,
1 Nov 2014
Athens (AFP) - The Greek Orthodox Church says it will not provide religious rites for those who choose cremation, saying it disrespects the human body.
The Greek Orthodox Church will not provide religious rites for those who choose cremation, saying it disrespects the human body (AFP Photo/Joel Robine) |
Athens (AFP) - The Greek Orthodox Church says it will not provide religious rites for those who choose cremation, saying it disrespects the human body.
"The
incineration of the body is not in keeping with the traditions and actions of
the Church, for anthropological and theological reasons," the Church said
in a statement.
Cremation
was only made legal in Greece in 2006 and there is still nowhere it can be
carried out in the country.
That has
not stopped the Church labelling a new law on procedures for cremation as
"nihilism" which contributes to "the suppression of religion"
and a "lack of respect for the human body".
"The
Church does not accept incineration of the body because it is a temple of the
Holy Spirit. Anyone who expresses the intention to be incinerated confirms
their separation from the Church and therefore does not have the right to a
religious ceremony," the statement said.
No Greek
government has yet authorised the construction of a crematorium in a country
where religion continues to play a major role in public life.
The mayors
of Athens and Thessaloniki, Georges Kaminis and Yannis Boutaris, have long
called for crematoriums in the face of dwindling space for cemeteries but have
been repeatedly rebuffed.
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