JERUSALEM, Jul 11, 01 (CWNews.com) - The Greek Orthodox Church on Wednesday accused Israel of meddling in its internal affairs by trying to disqualify several candidates to become the new patriarch in the Holy Land.
In a letter from Israeli Justice Minister Meir Shetreet, five of the 15 candidates were banned from the country for alleged security reasons, according to Metropolitan Isychios, one of the five candidates. He said the church was going to ignore Israel's objections and proceed with the selection process. All of the candidates are Greek.
"The Patriarchate condemns this unwelcome and unlawful intrusion of the Israeli government into church affairs, which serves undisclosed and suspicious interests," the church said in a press release. The five banned candidates included Metropolitan Timotheos, who has served for years as secretary and spokesman for the Patriarchate in the Christian Quarter of Jerusalem. For several years before the death of Patriarch Diodoros I last December, Timotheos had been the de facto spiritual leader of the Greek Orthodox in the Holy Land.
Under a law dating back to Byzantine Emperor Justinian, who ruled in the 6th century, the government in the Holy Land has the right to approve or disqualify candidates for the office of patriarch. The present list was submitted to the governments of Israel and Jordan and the Palestinian Authority. Jordan and the Palestinians made no deletions.
Catholic World News Service - Daily News Briefs
11. juli 2001