GREECE’S right-wing government said on Thursday that it would fulfil a commitment to legalise same-sex marriage, sidestepping staunch opposition from the country’s influential Orthodox Church.

The legislation would be brought to parliament during the house’s current term, which ends in 2027, said government spokesman Pavlos Marinakis.

The statement comes after the church’s governing Holy Synod issued a 1,500-word statement late on Wednesday, expressing strong opposition to the proposal. 

The church’s main argument centred around the issue of raising children, claiming they are being treated as “accessories” and “companion pets” for gay couples.

“We always listen to the opinions of the church with respect,” Mr Marinakis said. 

He said: “But at the same time, we are implementing our policy, and will listen to the views of society, civil society, the citizenry, institutions and parties in total.”

The church circular said: “The position of the Church of Greece remains that children have an innate need and therefore a right to grow up with a male father and a female mother. 

“No amount of social modernisation and no amount of political correctness can bypass [this].”

Opinion polls suggest Greeks are evenly divided on the issue of same-sex marriage, but opposed to extending full parental rights to gay couples.