American and Australian Archdioceses delivered a resounding “No” to the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew’s proposal for dioceses around the world to sign-off one of their properties to the patriarch, and for bishops to take up Turkish citizenship.
Archbishop Demetrios the Primate of the Greek Orthodox Church in America officially responded to the Patriarch’s suggestion by pointing out that the legal structure of the Archdiocese in North America does not allow for the devolution the diocesan property to another state.
Neos Kosmos is aware from sources within the Archdiocese of Australia that Archbishop Stylianos has yet to respond officially to the proposal but that he was also against the proposal.
Sources have said to Neos Kosmos, that Archbishop Stylianos saw the proposal as “part of a game played by Turkey” and that “Australian Archdiocese property will not become Ankara’s real-estate.”
The Turkish state does not recognise the Greek Patriarchy in Istanbul, (Constantinople), as an ecumenical institution as Italy does the Vatican.
To rise to the position of Patriarch one can only be ordained if they are a Turkish citizen.
Given the diminishing number of Greek Orthodox living in Turkey, there is real fear that the Patriarchy of the Greek Orthodox Church may be left leaderless in years to come.
The Prime Minister of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan had agreed to allow any Greek Orthodox clergy to become Turkish citizens after discussions with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew.
Extract from Sotiris Hatzimanolis report ( No to the Patriarch) in Neos Kosmos print edition 12 April 2010.