Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia Shio III stated that large families are, in his words, “happy,” while families in which an abortion has been performed will be unable to build a “happy family.”
He made these remarks on May 17 in the courtyard of the Holy Trinity Cathedral in Tbilisi, where he led a service to mark Family Sanctity Day.
According to Shio III, “if a grave sin occurs in a family, such as an abortion, it is impossible to build happiness on such a foundation, and such a family is doomed.”
He also added that, according to his interpretation of the biblical text, “the blood of the slain cries out to God,” and contrasted this with large families, calling children a “gift from God.”
“Where a child is born every two or three years—this angel sent by God—there is happiness, because through their existence they warm and illuminate everything around them and bring grace,” Shio III stated.
According to him, raising a family is “difficult” until the first three children arrive; however, after that, the challenges “significantly decrease,” and managing a large family becomes “much easier.”
Human rights activists believe that discussing a ban or the tightening of abortion regulations as a way to solve demographic problems is the wrong approach.
In a comment to Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Baia Pataraia, head of the organization “Sapari,” stated that the root of demographic problems in Georgia is primarily linked to poverty.
“The wrong path has been chosen because the source of the demographic problem in Georgia is poverty, and that is what must be fought. We need to empower mothers and improve their living conditions,” Pataraia said.
According to her, instead of restrictive measures, the state should focus on supporting women and improving the social conditions that influence the decision to have children.
Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia Shio III spoke positively of the law restricting the rights of the LGBT community, which was passed by the Georgian parliament.
According to him, Georgia needs a legislative policy that protects the family and traditional values.
“May the Lord grant us the strength to work for the salvation of the family and the protection of family values, so that we have legislation that protects the family and our people from harmful gender theories and ideology. We must not abandon this legislation, as some call for; on the contrary, it must be strengthened and reinforced—for the sake of protecting and preserving the family. This is the key to the survival and growth of our country, as well as to God’s grace,” Shio III stated.
Over the past two years, the ruling Georgian Dream party (Kartuli Otsneba) has passed a series of laws that critics say restrict independent media, the activities of non-governmental organizations, freedom of expression, and the rights of the LGBT community.
According to these norms:
- only a married man and woman or heterosexual individuals may adopt a minor;
- any medical interventions related to gender reassignment are prohibited;
- events, as well as the distribution of materials and programs aimed at “promoting” same-sex relationships or medical procedures related to gender reassignment, are prohibited.
May 17 marks the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, and Transphobia. However, it is noted that in Georgia, issues regarding the protection of LGBT rights are raised particularly sharply on this day.
Reports also recall that on May 17, 2013, clashes occurred in Tbilisi when groups of anti-LGBT protesters took to the streets against participants of a rally and their supporters. As a result, according to observers, cases of violence against several people were recorded at that time.
“Family Sanctity Day” was established in 2024 at the initiative of the Georgian Orthodox Church and by the decision of the then Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia Ilia II.
The European Court of Human Rights called the violence directed against LGBTQ+ demonstrators in Tbilisi on May 17, 2013, “unprecedented.”
The court ordered Georgia to pay 193,500 euros, stating that the violence occurred with the “tacit consent of the authorities.” This refers to the events that took place on the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, and Transphobia, when participants of a peaceful rally were attacked in Tbilisi.