Cyprus: Orthodox leader rebukes prelates who oppose papal visit

May 26, 2010

The head of the Orthodox Church of Cyprus has rebuked Orthodox prelates, including Bishop Athanasios of Limassol, who view Pope Benedict as a heretic and thus oppose his June 4-6 visit to the island nation. “People can believe what they like, but that does not mean offending a guest,” said Archbishop Chrysostomos II.

The nation of 800,000 is 78% Orthodox, 18% Muslim, and 2% Catholic.

 

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Further information:

• Cyprus Church head tells anti-Pope clerics to hush (AP)
• Cyprus church seeks to silence critics of Pope tour (Reuters)