THE Holy Synod agreed yesterday that their holy brother, Bishop Neophytos of Morphou, could continue his activities in the occupied diocese but under certain conditions.
The clerics met to discuss the Cyprus problem, the Church’s role in the EU and briefly, the possibility of elections for the throne of the archbishop.
Meeting for the first time since the summer recess, the Holy Synod members heard the comments of the Morphou Bishop regarding his initiative to resume service at Ayios Mamas church in the occupied north. Neophytos raised many eyebrows and drew criticism after recently conducting high-profile vespers in Morphou, the first time for the Ayios Mamas church in 30 years.
After the synod meeting, Morphou said he had answered all queries from the other bishops and retained his right to visit the occupied city.
“It is the right of the Bishop of Morphou to visit his diocese and whenever he thinks right to give a service. The whole issue was discussed, and everyone had the chance to speak their mind, some positively, others negatively. I answered all their questions,” said Neophytos.
Acting head of the synod, Bishop of Paphos Chrysostomos said the issue was not about conducting services in the north but about avoiding the false promotion of Turkey’s image abroad.
“The national problem is not over. We all discussed this and gave our positions. It is not an issue of service, if the Turks let us we will go to conduct services. What we need to be aware of is not giving a false face to Turkey to the outside world, but to give the real face of Turkey and not contribute to this false image. That is our concern and that is what all members want,” said Chrysostomos.
According to CyBC yesterday, the Bishop Pavlos of Kyrenia used the meeting to voice his strong opposition to Morphou’s activities in the north. He allegedly repeated earlier claims he had made, that Neophytos was serving the interests of foreign embassies and following Turkey’s agenda.
The issue of elections for the throne of the archbishop was brought up briefly by Bishop of Kykkos Nikiforos but postponed until the next meeting.
The Paphos Bishop said the clerics agreed to look at the issue in depth and take decisions in following meetings, adding that he believed there would be a majority in favour of new elections.
Bishop Neophytos said the matter was serious and needed a separate meeting to deal with that exclusively. But he added that elections were untenable now because the electoral catalogue and election rules were not ready yet.
Also present was the Bishop of France, Emmanuel, representing the ecumenical patriarchy in Brussels. He was present to inform the clerics on EU matters.
