GREEK CHURCH DISPUTE FLARES

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30919, 27 November 1965, Page 23

GREEK CHURCH DISPUTE FLARES

(N.Z.P.A. Reuter—Copyright) ATHENS, Nov. 25. A week-long crisis between the Greek Orthodox Church and the Government flared up again when the churchmen rejected a peace move bv the Greek Prime Minister.

A bill which seeks to dissolve the present church hierarchy of bishops and elect a new one on merit is behind the crisis. The bill threatened to cause a church revolt when it was tabled in Parliament. The Prime Minister, Mr Stephanos Stephanopoulos, tried to ease the crisis by setting up a commission to suggest amendments to the bill. But the hierarchy decided to set up its own commission —and issued a statement describing the bill as “anticonstitutional and contrary to the holy canons of the church.”

The bishops’ commission would try to meet Parliamentary party leaders and secure their support. The government has accused 38 of the 51 bishops of the hierarchy of illegal acts in the election of 15 bishops to fill vacant dioceses.

By law the transfer of bishops from one diocese to another is forbidden and bishops must hold office for life in their appointed dioceses.

The bill provides that the

new hierarchy would elect 15 bishops for the vacant dioceses.