29th March metropolitan Smolenski and Kaliningradski, Mr. Kirill Gundiayev, wo is most likely to succeed Patriarch Alexi, made a number of homophobic statements at the European Cultural and Spiritual Versatility International Conference, which was held 29th March in Warsaw.

In particular, he criticised some of the European Constitution's provisions, including the attempts to liberalise the Christian acts of worship.

Metropolitan Kirill spoke against the European Parliament's resolutions. In particular, he stood strongly against the human rights' resolution of January 2003 ostensibly challenging to launch the All-European campaign for the social integration of homosexuals. "The liberal and humane standard may not be enforced as universal", the Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church was quoted as saying.