Archbishop Makarios, just as soon as he was informed of the tragic incident of the shooting of the 16-year-old Greek-Australian Alex Gatis from Adelaide, said: “I was painfully informed of the shooting of the Greek-Australian 16-year-old boy, Alex Gatis from Adelaide.
I waste no time to express my sorrow for this fact and my sympathy for our beloved Alex Gatis and his family. I also relay the fatherly and affectionate sympathy of our Patriarch Bartholomew. I regret what happened.
Violence does not express the spirit of our civilized Australia. The Orthodox Church and our Ecumenical Patriarchate cannot bless violence.
The Archieratic Commissioner, Bishop Nikandros of Dorileou, with whom I immediately contacted by phone, was authorized to visit the already hospitalized boy, which was in a critical situation, in order to inform us responsibly about his health. I’m sure Christ and the Virgin will help.”
