Archbishop Makarios, Primate of the Orthodox Church of Australia: Violence does not express the ethos and spirit of our civilised country of Australia.

His Eminence Archbishop Makarios, Primate of the Greek Orthodox Church of Australia, having been informed of the tragic event regarding the senseless shooting of 16-year-old Greek Australian Alex Gatis, of Adelaide immediately sent out the following statement:

“I was informed with much pain of the shooting of our Greek-Australian 16 year old young man, Alex Gatis, from Adelaide and hasten to express my sincere sadness regarding this tragic event; and at the same time my best wishes to our dearest Alex Gatis and his family for a speedy recovery and convey the paternal wishes and love of His All Holiness,  Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew. Violence can never be blessed or justified under any condition and definitely does not express the ethos and spirit of our civilised country of Australia. Violence can also never be blessed by the Orthodox Church and our Ecumenical Patriarchate. I have made contact by telephone with His Grace Bishop Nikandros of Doryleon, Archepiscopal Vicar in Adelaide, and have asked him to visit Alex who is in a critical yet stable condition in hospital, so he may responsibly inform me of any progress with his health. I am certain that our Lord Jesus Christ and His Mother Mary will be of assistance."