COMMENTARY: Greek Clergyman's Anti-Semitic Remarks on TV Are Unacceptable

The Greek government last week condemned the Metropolite of Piraeus Seraphim for making anti-Semitic statements during a national television interview.

During the interview, Metropolite Seraphim blamed world Jewry for Greece's current financial problems. He also said international Zionism is trying to destroy the family unit by promoting one-parent families and same-sex marriages.

Infuriated by Metropolite Seraphim's hateful anti-Semitic remarks, the Greek government said his TV statements are an insult to Greece and an insult to "our very society of which the Greek Jewish Community is an inseparable part."

The American Jewish Committee also condemned Metropolite Seraphim's anti-Semitic statements, and called on the heads of the Greek Orthodox Church -- including Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew -- to condemn them.

The fact is that not only should Metropolite Seraphim's statements be condemned, but he should also be defrocked for making such anti-Semitic remarks.

To blame Jews for a failing economy in Greece -- as well as other negative occurrences in society -- is nothing more than a rationalization being used, with Jews being the scapegoat for these occurrences.

For a Greek Orthodox Metropolite to state in a national TV interview that the Jews are the cause of today's major problems in society is irresponsible and discriminatory. Indeed, society would be a much better place in which to live without Metropolite Seraphim serving in an ecclesiastical position.