Abbas Dismisses Greek Orthodox Patriarch Of Jerusalem Irineos

2005-07-14

Jordan Ordered His Dismissal Weeks ago, Israel Is Still Studying the Issue

Palestine Media Center - PMC Official PA website

www.palestine-pmc.com/ details.asp?cat=1&id=933

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas issued a decree on Wednesday officially endorsing an earlier decision by the Council of Ministers for the dismissal of the ousted Greek Orthodox patriarch of Jerusalem Irineos 1, who has been embroiled in a battle over Jerusalem land deals with Israelis that have angered Palestinians.

The decree signed by Abbas stated, "We have decided to issue a decree to dismiss Irineos I from his position as the patriarch of Jerusalem and the Holy Land and to revoke all rights and privileges which go with this position."

The decree was issued in accordance with the law of the Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem and the Holy Land No. 27 of year 1958, and it was pursuant to the dismissal of Irineos 1 by the Holy Synod of the Orthodox Patriarchate.

"We confirm the ouster of the Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem Irineos I, and the give-up of his seat, and divest him from all his rights and privileges related to his position," the decree said, as reported by the Palestinian official news agency WAFA.

President Abbas instructed all institutions of the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) to enforce the decree as of the date of its issuance and to annul all that is contrary thereto.

A day earlier, Irineos backed by a group of guards retook control of his office in the church compound in the Israeli-occupied Jerusalem on Wednesday, setting off a fistfight. Opponents tried to stop him from entering areas of the compound that had been off-limits to him for some time, but the Israeli police interceded, said police spokesman Shmuel Ben-Ruby.

Irineos, in a statement published by Al-Quds daily on Wednesday claimed that a PNA committee probing the controversial property transactions has established his innocence, but his claim has yet to be confirmed officially by the PNA.

He appealed to long-standing Arab complaints against the Greek monopoly of the church's top hierarchy by offering more senior positions to Arab clergy and more involvement by Arabs in managing the church's property and finances in a "transparent" manner, the statement promised.

He also referred to Israel's delay of his endorsement for more than two years to clear his "national" credentials.

The patriarch's appointment must be ratified by three entities: The Palestinian National Authority (PNA), Jordan and Israel.

Jordan ordered his dismissal several weeks ago, but Israel has yet to take a stand.

Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesman Mark Regev said a government committee studying the issue has yet to made a recommendation, AP reported.

Irineos has denied involvement in the transactions that enraged the Palestinians and has refused to recognize a decision by church rebels to fire him.

Archbishop Innocentios, one of the clergy who opposes Irineos, said that despite his move on Wednesday, the rebels would not allow Irineos to fulfill his clerical duties.

"From an ecclesiastical point of view it is finished for us," AP quoted Innocentios as saying.

Reports of the church property "leases" have aroused the furor of the Palestinians who make up most of the flock.

Clerics at the Patriarchate and other world Orthodox leaders have stopped recognizing the authority of Irineos as a result of the affair.

However, Irineos continues to resist demands that he step aside, saying a former aide signed the leases in a tricky way without his knowledge.

Source: IMRA – Independent Media Review and Analysis