Many are afraid to baptize their children as Catholics, because of the difficulties they will encounter in life. There are still hidden Catholics, which is absurd in a democratic country, a member of the European Union. For us the Pope's visit will be a source of great encouragement and comfort. The Pope is aware of the sufferings of Greek Catholics. We love our homeland and we suffer because we are not recognised as true sons and daughters of Greece.
Religion is identified with nationality.
This is why the Orthodox Church insisted that religion should remain on identity papers. This linking of state with religion is an inheritance from Byzantine times. The Empire was seen as an exterior form of the Church, the Emperor was the vicar of Christ. Still today Orthodox Church laws are published in the official state bulletin. This is why Catholics have no rights, the Catholic Church in Greece has no juridical status.