Paphos Bishop renews call for Church elections

THE CHURCH is being irreversibly harmed with every hour that passes without an Archbishop at its helm, Paphos Bishop Chrysostomos said yesterday.

The Archbishop is suffering from Alzheimer’s disease and withdrew from his official duties a long time ago.

Attempts to hold elections have been met with the opposition of members of the Holy Synod who claim that the Archbishop can not be replaced while still alive.

There is much open speculation, though, that those who oppose the elections want more time to advance their candidacies.

Chrysostomos said he had suggested that elections be held twice so far but he was rejected by other members of the Synod.

The Paphos Bishop speaking out in response to criticism about the absence of a high-ranking cleric from the memorial service of a man killed in the assassination attempt against EDEK honorary chairman Vassos Lyssarides in 1974.

Chrysostomos refrained from putting the blame on anyone: “We always try to attend national memorials and honour those who gave their lives for their country”.

The absence of a high-ranking cleric prompted EDEK leader Yiannakis Omirou to remark that there was a power vacuum in the Archbishopric and it was time for the Church of Cyprus to find a leader.

Chrysostomos shared these views. “Not every day, but each passing hour without a Primate irreversibly harms the Church,” he said.

He added however that a committee has been tasked to draft the electoral rolls with the help of the interior ministry.

The next Synod will examine the issue and very soon the Holy Synod will draft the necessary rules for the conduct of elections, Chrysostomos said.

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