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Anger as alternative Patriarch installed |
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Wednesday, 02 May 2007 |
 Tuesday,
1st May 2007. 3:32pm
By: Matt Cresswell.
A RENEGADE Bishop has been installed as the Orthodox Patriarch of Eritrea
16 months after the ordained Patriarch was removed from office.
Bishop Dioscoros (pictured) has now been selected as Patriarch in the
presence of government officials and other ‘reluctant’ bishops who ‘took
no part in the decision’, it was reported today.
It was claimed that the decision was overseen by Yoftahe Dimetros – a
government appointed lay-person whose role as General Secretary of the Holy
Synod is known to have been assumed illegally.
The new Patriarch will officially be consecrated on the Day of Pentecost while
the legitimate Patriarch is said to be under house arrest since his illegal
dismissal in January 2006.
He replaces Patriarch Antonios, one of 200 Christians currently detained
without trial or charge in Eritrea – according to campaign group Christian
Solidarity Worldwide who are planning a rally outside the Eritrean Embassy in
London to raise the issue.
Mervyn Thomas, Chief Executive of CSW, said: “This is yet another low in the
sad litany of Eritrean government interference in church affairs. In addition
to the appalling mistreatment of the legitimate pontiff, who continues to be
held without charge or trial, the Eritrean authorities appear determined to
usurp the authority to appoint a leader for a church with a 17-century
history.
“CSW calls for the immediate release of Abune Antonios and his reinstatement
as head of the EOC.
We hope the Orthodox Papacy will issue a strong statement on this unwelcome
development. Such an unprecedented level of state interference in church
affairs is wholly unacceptable in this day and age.”
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