Bulgarian Orthodox Church Up against Lady Gaga's Sofia Concert

Indonesian Muslim activists hold anti-Lady Gaga concert placards at a main roudabout in Jakarta, Indonesia 29 April 2012. EPA/BGNES

The Bulgarian Orthodox Church has made it clear it disapproves of the upcoming concert of US pop star Lady Gaga in Sofia.

5-time Grammy Award winner's Sofia gig will be the first one in the European leg of her Born This Way Ball tour, taking place on August 14, 2012.

"What is sinful must not be promoted," Znepole Bishop Yoan, who is a vicar of the Sofia metropolitan, declared on Darik Radio Friday, referring to Lady Gaga's performances and "the homosexual messages" of her songs.

Bishop Yoan did say, however, that the Holy Synod of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church has not discussed Lady Gaga's upcoming concert in Sofia yet but is likely to do so.

Three years ago, back in 2009, the Holy Synod of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church raised eyebrows by condemning the concert of Madonna in Sofia, which was her first ever concert in Bulgaria.

"You know our opinion on these issues. Every person has brains so they can decide for themselves but you know our views. We will never be understood, to put it that way, but we can never conform with anything that is not within the limits established by God as principles. This is how God created humans – as males and females – and that is why the Old Testament talks many times about similar sins," the bishop stated, adding that the world is seeing a promotion of freedom but that the freedom is question is misunderstood.

"We have nothing against the humans themselves but we may not approve of their choice. Everybody has the right to choose but they bear the responsibility for their choice. What is sinful must not be promoted in our society. This is dangerous," he added.

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