Orthodox Church Protests Georgian-Vatican Agreement

The Georgian Orthodox Church expressed protest regarding the agreement between the Georgian government and the Vatican, which is expected to be singed this week.
 
?We support determination of legal status of the Catholics in Georgia; however we will oppose the agreement between the Georgian government and the Vatican. We do not understand why the draft agreement was developed in secrecy, without our knowledge,? the statement of the Georgian Orthodox Church issued on September 16 reads.

?The agreement implies the cooperation between the two states and has nothing to do with the Church,? Deputy Foreign Minister Kakha Sikharulidze said today.

Signing of the agreement is expected by September 18-20, during the visit of Vatican?s Foreign Minister, Monsignor Jean-Louis Tauran to Georgia.