Kammenos backs Church in religion course row with government

The leader of the junior coalition partner Panos Kammenos is reportedly backing the Church of Greece in its row with the government over the way religion is taught at schools.

“The Independent Greeks (ANEL) publicly backs the views of the Church with regard to religion courses in school,” a party statement said on Friday.

Kammenos will meet with Archbishop Ieronymos on Wednesday before the issue is discussed in Parliament by party leaders.

Ieronymos had lashed out earlier in the week against changes introduced by the Education Ministry to religious courses taught in schools, saying they were unacceptable and a danger to society.

Education Minister Nikos Filis has insisted that religion classes must change and be more like religious studies, rather than be taught on the basis of the catechism.