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At last a cleric willing to condemn the: “you will go to hell if you vote yes” rhetoric of some of the clergy during last years referendum debate


Brian Semmens

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‘No vote was unchristian’

THE BISHOP of Morphou indirectly suggested that most of the Cypriot clergy was unchristian when he told a Turkish Cypriot newspaper earlier this week that the ‘no’ vote that the majority of Greek Cypriots gave to the Annan plan was inconsistent with Christian teachings.

“The ‘no’ of the Greek Cypriots is not consistent with the Christian philosophy,” the Morphou bishop said on Monday in an interview with the Turkish Cypriot daily Halkin Sesi, which was then reported in the Greek Cypriot Simerini. “I don’t want the Church to commit the same errors, causing the same problems of the past.”

Bishop Neophytos said that he voted ‘yes’ to the Annan Plan “because I believed that in this way I was uniting the world. I would only have said ‘no’ if it [the ‘yes’ vote] were without substance and without gain.”

The Bishop spoke in favour of opening trade between Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots, as opposed to between the Cyprus Republic and Turkey, suggesting that free trade relations between the two communities would increase support for a future ‘yes’ vote among Greek Cypriots. He also called on the authorities to open the checkpoints at Ledra Street, Pyrgos, Limnitis and Dherynia.

Limited trade relations across the Green Line already exist in Cyprus, although they are primarily north-to-south, with Turkish Cypriots sending fruits and vegetables to Limassol for export to international markets.

Bishop Neophytos also said that Greek Cypriots might be more amenable to a ‘yes’ vote if Turkish Cypriots repaired and returned some of the churches that had been converted to mosques, youth centres, and stables to their original state.

The Bishop spoke of the need for Tassos Papadopoulos to meet with the leader of the breakaway state, Mehmet Ali Talat, noting that similar meetings took place in the past such as between Makarios and Denktash. He added that such dialogue should be taking place on all levels of the society, and that more bicommunal cultural events should be organised.

Bishop of Paphos Chrysostomos, who was one of the most vocal proponent figures in the church of the ‘no’ vote, told the Cyprus Mail yesterday that he had not heard about the statements by the Morphou Bishop and therefore could not comment.

The Bishop did, however, disagree with the effort by the Morphou Bishop to resume services at the Ayios Mamas church in occupied Morphou. The first service since the 1974 invasion took place in September 2004, with the second one taking place earlier this month. The yearly services have been held in commemoration of the saint’s day. “If all of the churches there were like Ayios Mamas and were respected, then okay, it would not bother me,” Bishop Chrysostomos said. “But all the others are destroyed. Or they have become recreation centres. We are making fun of the Europeans, the Americans, and everyone else when we say that the Turks respect the churches. Obviously, they don’t.” “Further, when you show your passport or your ID, it means that you recognise the pseudo-state.”

Copyright © Cyprus Mail 2005

[brother]

I read this too but its too little too late but maybe it will help show some people that the church is for peace in cyprus.

[cannedmoose]

If I remember correctly, the Bishop of Morfou is a relatively moderate character within the Church... others certainly don't share his views...

[Bananiot]

When Ferdi Soyer met the Bishop of Morhou, he told him "if I were a believer I would gladly pray in your church".

Neophytos was a member of AKEL's youth movement in his younger days when AKEL had a different agenda regarding the communal relations. He stands out in a fossilised church leadership that seems to only just live the 19th century. Perhaps erolz should invite him for the next cemetery meeting.

[Crash Test Dummy]

Greek people are way too much influence by the church. This is why very few people saw what Makarios was doing as wrong. (am talking about the Independance from Britian)

[Bananiot]

Generally you are right. There is a good explanation for this. Four hundred years under the Ottomans meant that a God was needed to save them so they invested a lot on divine help. Yet, until today there is no separation of state and church and we find the church everywhere, from the time we are born till the time we die the church rules our lives.

[Crash Test Dummy]

This whole god thing just aint for me. I have yet to see God and if he wants me to notice him he can come andslap me round the face.

[Bananiot]

Fair enough, but poor, illiterate and desperate people, see things differently.

[Crash Test Dummy]

Bananiot wrote: Fair enough, but poor, illiterate and desperate people, see things differently.

abit harsh but that your view. As far as i can see God has never helped me so. I have dodged death about 2 times but that was nothing to do with him.

[Kifeas]

Bananiot wrote: Generally you are right. There is a good explanation for this. Four hundred years under the Ottomans meant that a God was needed to save them so they invested a lot on divine help. Yet, until today there is no separation of state and church and we find the church everywhere, from the time we are born till the time we die the church rules our lives.

The church doesn't rule my life; it never ruled it, nor my family’s life and practically none’s life that I know, except a few hundreds of god fearing elder and women.

The church doesn’t formulate any public policy neither for the internal affairs or foreign affairs, nor in the issue of the Cyprus problem. That is not to say that is doesn't express an opinion. The only issue in which it, unfortunately, still has some influence is in relation to some educational matters. That however stands miles away from what you said, namely that "the church rules our lives."

Anyone reading you, who doesn’t know anything about Cyprus, will think that Cyprus is some theocratic and /or fundamentalist state.

You simply cannot be objective, for just once!

[Kifeas]

Bananiot wrote: Fair enough, but poor, illiterate and desperate people, see things differently.

In other words 2% of Cypriots!

[Viewpoint]

Kifeas wrote: Bananiot wrote: Generally you are right. There is a good explanation for this. Four hundred years under the Ottomans meant that a God was needed to save them so they invested a lot on divine help. Yet, until today there is no separation of state and church and we find the church everywhere, from the time we are born till the time we die the church rules our lives.

The church doesn't rule my life; it never ruled it, nor my family’s life and practically none’s life that I know, except a few hundreds of god fearing elder and women.

The church doesn’t formulate any public policy neither for the internal affairs or foreign affairs, nor in the issue of the Cyprus problem. That is not to say that is doesn't express an opinion. The only issue in which it, unfortunately, still has some influence is in relation to some educational matters. That however stands miles away from what you said, namely that "the church rules our lives."

Anyone reading you, who doesn’t know anything about Cyprus, will think that Cyprus is some theocratic and /or fundamentalist state.

You simply cannot be objective, for just once!

Can you also try to be objective for a change many Greek Cypriots I have met say the Church teaches all Greek Cypriots who attend that Turkish Cypriots and Turks stole their lands and that they are they are evil and we should rid Cyprus of them and make it a Greek island. The churches influence may have been stronger in the past but its still very much a big part of Greek Cypriot societies life. This method of brain washing exists and just saying it doesn't, does not make it go away or convince anyone you are telling the truth. Don't forget what your church said about those Greek Cypriot who voted YES, they will burn in hell...for once hold your hand up and say yes this does exist in our society.

[Kifeas]

Viewpoint wrote: you also try to be objective for a change many Greek Cypriots I have met say the Church teaches all Greek Cypriots who attend that Turkish Cypriots and Turks stole their lands and that they are they are evil and we should rid Cyprus of them and make it a Greek island. The churches influence may have been stronger in the past but its still very much a big part of Greek Cypriot societies life. This method of brain washing exists and just saying it doesn't, does not make it go away or convince anyone you are telling the truth. Don't forget what your church said about those Greek Cypriot who voted YES, they will burn in hell...for once hold your hand up and say yes this does exist in our society.

Viewnopoint!
We need no church, no mosque, no synagogue, nor anyone else to tell that Turks sole our lands. We feel it every day, we see it every day, we live it every day, we touch it every day and we experience it every day.

[Viewpoint]

Kifeas wrote: Viewpoint wrote: you also try to be objective for a change many Greek Cypriots I have met say the Church teaches all Greek Cypriots who attend that Turkish Cypriots and Turks stole their lands and that they are they are evil and we should rid Cyprus of them and make it a Greek island. The churches influence may have been stronger in the past but its still very much a big part of Greek Cypriot societies life. This method of brain washing exists and just saying it doesn't, does not make it go away or convince anyone you are telling the truth. Don't forget what your church said about those Greek Cypriot who voted YES, they will burn in hell...for once hold your hand up and say yes this does exist in our society.

Viewnopoint!
We need no church, no mosque, no synagogue, nor anyone else to tell that Turks sole our lands. We feel it every day, we see it every day, we live it every day, we touch it every day and we experience it every day.

Dont avoid the real question here.

I have said it before and will again and again until Greek Cypriots get it in their heads, to get your land back you have to agree a comprehensive solution.

[Bananiot]

Quote: The church doesn't rule my life; it never ruled it, nor my family’s life and practically none’s life that I know, except a few hundreds of god fearing elder and women.

Everything is drugged down to a personal level for this man.

Quote: Anyone reading you, who doesn’t know anything about Cyprus, will think that Cyprus is some theocratic and /or fundamentalist state.

My friend Goran from Sweden was shocked to see in every single classroom, icons of saints, Christ etc and yes I did try to explain to him that this is not Homeinism, but had little success.

The church is almighty in Cyprus, a very powerful organisation, a state within a state. The government does not dare impose taxes on their many commercial activities etc.

Quote: In other words 2% of Cypriots!

I was writing about 1821 during the liberation struggle in Greece but in your haste to make a point you obviously made a plunder. God forgive you, child ...