TBILISI. - Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia Ilia II opposed the bill granting legal status to several religious unions that function in the country.

Last week the Georgian Parliament passesd in the first reading the amendments to the Civil Code, according to which five religious groups were granted legal status.

In a statement issued by Georgian Patriarchate Ilia II said that adoption of bill should be suspended during the second and third readings, Interfax reports.

According to him, it is necessary to hold open TV debates “to form public opinion in consensus with the Orthodox church as the majority of country’s population is orthodox Christians”.

As Armenian News-NEWS.am reported earlier, the parliament voted for granting legal status to the Armenian Apostolic Church, Roman Catholic Church, the Muslim community, the Jewish community and the Baptist church in Georgia.

The next and final reading is scheduled for the Wednesday.