Neophytos started by pointing fingers at pride parades, saying “the problem with homosexuals is that now this feeling is being cultivated where we are supposed to be proud, hence the parades, because by the way the word choice was not accidental,” the bishop said. “They started to promote homosexuality as a natural thing, apparently, so how can we protect our children from this unnatural phenomenon?” the question asked. In the video, which was originally posted on the Morphou Diocese’s website, the bishop had responded to a question about homosexuality in front of an audience including children and adults. The comments were later shared in a video online posted by Accept, an LGBTI group in Cyprus, condemning the comments and asking back “how are lesbians created” then? He also warned couples in the audience to be careful not to engage in the 'unnatural act' in order to eliminate the risk of having “spiritual bacteria.”
Neophytos was asked recently during a congregation meeting in rural Nicosia to respond to a comment about homosexuality, with the bishop telling his audience that homosexuality is caused when a pregnant woman enjoys anal sex. Morphou Bishop Neophytos has taken heat after making controversial comments about gay sex, with the internet flooding with funny memes but also criticism against the church.
