US Acting-Ambassador Comments on Recent Georgian Church Events

According to Acting-Ambassador of the United States to Georgia Elizabeth Rood, the United States understands and welcomes the central and very important role of the Georgian Orthodox Church in the Georgian community.

Mrs. Rood refrained from commenting on the legal issue when asked by journalists about the pardoning of the convicted archpriest Giorgi Mamaladze.

“The United States appreciates the central and very important role of the Georgian Orthodox Church in the Georgian community, which has been historic. I don't want to make a specific comment on a legal issue," Rood stated.

As for the question about the possible strengthening of the Russian influence in the Georgian Orthodox Church, the Ambassador positions that the United States comprehends that Georgia is facing the damaging Russian influence, but she abstained from commenting on the recent appointment of Metropolitan Ioane.