Melbourne priest allegedly says gay people should be shot

A Melbourne priest allegedly used a Father’s Day sermon to demand his congregation vote no on marriage equality, and said gay people should be shot.

Liz Tasiopoulos said the priest at a Greek Orthodox Church was “screaming” at the congregation, News.com.au has reported.

“The priest was screaming at us that [marriage equality] was blasphemy,” she said.

“I couldn’t stop crying.”

Tasiopoulos said the priest’s comments were particularly hurtful as they came during a service that included a memorial for a woman who had committed suicide over her own sexuality.

Tasiopoulos described the scene in the church in a now-deleted Facebook post.

“He pointed out everyone was to vote no,” she wrote.

“Then one lady stood up and said ‘I’ll vote yes’. The priest [said] ‘Shame on you.’ She walked out, and then we all did as the girl we were there for was gay.

“As we walked, the priest said that all gays should be shot. He was yelling at us all standing in the rain.

“I can’t fathom this much hate on Father’s Day as [the deceased woman’s] father was having to listen 40 days after he laid his only daughter to rest.”

Less than a month ago, another Greek Orthodox priest was accused of advocating for gay people to be shot. He apologised but claimed not to remember making the remarks.