By Jean Christou
SEVERAL medical specialists from the UK are expected on the island shortly to monitor the progress of Archbishop Chrysostomos and give an assessment on the sate of his health by November 15, Health Minister Frixos Savvides said yesterday.
The Archbishop, who returned recently to Cyprus, was being treated at a private clinic in Greece after being transferred there from a public hospital in Athens, where he had been for several months after sustaining injuries in a fall. Speculation has been rife that the Archbishop is suffering from Alzheimers disease, but nothing has been confirmed.
Controversy has been raging about the true state of his health, which has fuelled speculation about a power struggle for succession within the Church and caused a rift between bishops and the health minister, who has taken full charge of the Church leader’s health.
Savvides told reporters yesterday that by November 15 the doctors from London would have a verdict on his health and on whether was fit to resume his duties.
“It’s obvious that the doctors will have to answer two main questions,” Savvides said. “Will the Archbishop at any time or in any way be restored to full health and how much time will this require? And secondly, what illness does he have and to what extent he can perform his duties or should a successor be appointed?”
Paphos Bishop Chrysostomos, who has been pushing for a meeting of the Holy Synod to discuss the issue, made a new appeal yesterday, saying the Archbishop, whose responsibility it was to call Synod meetings, was in no condition to do so. He said that in his opinion the Archbishop was not even able to give a command, let alone follow the proceedings.
Commenting on a reference to the fact the Archbishop had carried out a church ceremony last week and had asked to see House President Demetris Christofias, the Paphos bishop said: “The Archbishop remembers the old days. He can remember when he was at school at the village and can recite the poem he learned as a child. He remembers these things. New things he can’t remember.” The Paphos bishop also said he had doubts about the Archbishop asking to see Christofias. “When I visit him he says thank you but here is no capability for conversation,” he added.
The bishop said that if the other bishops decided they wanted to hold a meeting he was at their disposal, “but there is no unanimity on this.” However, the bishops are due to meet President Glafcos Clerides tomorrow for a briefing on the Cyprus problem and the Paphos bishop has suggested they hold a meeting then.
