achilles
05-09-2005, 12:40 PM
The head of the Orthodox Church has sought to calm a row between the patriarch of Jerusalem, Irineos I, and senior clerics demanding his removal.
Patriarch Bartholomew I asked Irineos I not to call a planned synod meeting in a bid to replace the rebel bishops.
The bishops have broken off contact with Irineos I over the controversial sale of church land in East Jerusalem, which has angered Palestinians.
Patriarch Irineos, leader of 100,000 Christians, has denied any wrongdoing.
Repeated denials
The land at the heart of the dispute was allegedly sold to a group linked to Jewish settlers, sparking outrage among Palestinians, who make up the largest section of the Orthodox Church in the Holy Land.
Thirteen bishops accuse Patriarch Irineos of being caught up in a web of lying, distortion and of mishandling church property. Full article (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/4529755.stm)
Patriarch Bartholomew I asked Irineos I not to call a planned synod meeting in a bid to replace the rebel bishops.
The bishops have broken off contact with Irineos I over the controversial sale of church land in East Jerusalem, which has angered Palestinians.
Patriarch Irineos, leader of 100,000 Christians, has denied any wrongdoing.
Repeated denials
The land at the heart of the dispute was allegedly sold to a group linked to Jewish settlers, sparking outrage among Palestinians, who make up the largest section of the Orthodox Church in the Holy Land.
Thirteen bishops accuse Patriarch Irineos of being caught up in a web of lying, distortion and of mishandling church property. Full article (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/4529755.stm)