Treasurer embroiled in holy debate over church appointment
Tom Koutsantonis has waded into controversy surrounding the resignation of a long-serving Greek Orthodox parish priest in Adelaide, the church expressing a “lamentable spirit of sadness” about the Treasurer’s public statements.
South Australian Treasurer Tom Koutsantonis has sparked a holy debate in Adelaide’s Greek Orthodox community after weighing in on the resignation of a long-serving parish priest at the Church of Saint George in Adelaide’s western suburbs.
The clash between the high-profile Labor politician and the powerful Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Adelaide revolves around the resignation of Father Diogenis Patsouris in February.
Fr Patsouris – an 85-year-old who had served at the Saint George parish for 56 years out of the 60 years he has been a priest – told a congregation in February that he had been “removed” from his duties by the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia, according to Greek community news site Neos Kosmos.
He reportedly told parishioners that Bishop Silouan of Adelaide relieved him of duties as Proistamenos, but requested he be allowed to resign rather than dismissed.
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In a post on his personal Facebook page, Treasurer Koutsantonis offered his “thoughts” on the changes at Saint George, referencing Patsouris’ long service including in relation to his own family.
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“He was there when I was a young boy, there for all our Easters’, Christmases, weddings, baptism & funerals,” Koutsantonis said.
“He is our North Star. Leading us closer to Christ through his ministry at our Church of St George.
“Now he has been taken from us and we can’t understand why. I feel like mourning, like something has been ripped from us.
“This is now how it’s meant to be in our community. It feels wrong because it is.”
His comments were swiftly addressed by the Archdiocese, which published a statement asking the Treasurer to “refrain from getting involved in the canonical and pastoral affairs of the Church”.
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“In a lamentable spirit of sadness, the Priests Synaxis expressed regret and concern at the public response of Mr Anastasios (Tom) Koutsantonis, a sitting member of Parliament, with respect to the appointment of Fr Konstantinos as Proistamenos,” the statement reads.
“A response that has intensely heightened public reaction through creating misunderstanding and confusion within the community. At no time was the former venerable Proistamenos “ripped from us.”
“The Priests Synaxis expressed appreciation for Minister Tom’s civil stewardship but was emphatic in its plea for Mr Koutsantonis to refrain from getting involved in the canonical and pastoral affairs of the Church.”
The response had followed a statement from the Archdiocese that contradicted Patsouris’ statements, with the organisation saying the priest’s public comments “provoked confusion among the faithful, incorrectly stating that the Holy Archdiocese of Australia had removed him from his priestly office”.
“However, the reality is different. The Holy Archdiocese did not dismiss Fr Diogenis from his position as a priest, but proceeded to replace him from the position of Administrative Rector (Proistamenos) of the Holy Church of St George, Mile End, emphasising to him that he would continue to preside over all liturgical and worship events at the Holy Church of St George,” the Archdiocese said.
“The Holy Archdiocese did not remove Fr Diogenis from the church, nor did it transfer him to another church. The removal and resignation were his own decisions.”
In a statement sent to InDaily, the Treasurer said he had seen the statement from the Archdiocese in relation to his public comments but did not back down from his position.
Koutsantonis said he was “entitled to express… views about matters that affect institutions which have played such an important role in the lives of so many families”.
“My comments reflect my love and devotion to [the] Greek Orthodox community who, like many others, felt compelled to acknowledge the deep affection and respect that exists for the Very Reverend Father Diogenis Patsouris after more than half a century of devoted service to our parish and community,” Koutsantonis said.
“I fully respect the authority of the church in matters of canon law and ecclesiastical governance. Those are matters for the church. However, members of the community — including those who serve in public life — are also entitled to express their views about matters that affect institutions which have played such an important role in the lives of so many families. Silence would have been louder.
“I am committed to the leadership of His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia and the broader mission of the Church in guiding the faithful. My focus, as it always has been, is the wellbeing and unity of our community and the respect owed to those who have served it faithfully for many decades.”
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