Filenews 19 February 2022 - by Vassos Vassiliou
Archbishop Chrysostomos allegedly softened with the unvaccinated priests of the Archdiocesan region, whom he had put on holiday and finally gave them a "remission of sins" by lifting the holiday.
Reference to his intention to forgive the undisciplined priests had been made by His Beatitude during a lunch he gave to the members of the Holy Synod at the last session of the House on February 15.
The twelve priests would not be paid for three months (from February 1st), that is, as long as their holiday lasted, with the announcement that if they are not vaccinated their holiday will continue, but eventually the Archbishop reportedly had second thoughts.
When we asked about it, we were told that the primate of the Church of Cyprus, although he is spontaneous and angry relatively easily, just as easily fades away and differentiates decisions that he sometimes makes in the boil of the soul.
What allegedly annoyed His Beatitude in the case of the unvaccinated was the information that some of his entourage made sure to convey to him, that some of the priests are influencing believers not to be vaccinated, which may have had an impact on the Church in the event of the death of anyone who was persuaded by a priest not to be vaccinated.
As for the Archbishop's attitude towards priests who are accused of any misconduct (except for moral and other serious offenses) it has always been non-punishment and a second chance.
As "F" had recently written, unvaccinated priests exist in all metropolises but none of their superior Metropolitans imposed any punishment.
It is worth noting that, as the CyBC had transmitted (after the letter of the holiday), His Beatitude expressed the view that there are other motives behind the attitude of some priests, who according to him took advantage of his damaged health, taking it as his inability to manage strictly the ecclesiastical things. It was also seen as indiscipline and expediency in view of possible fronts on the way to archdiocesan elections.
Of the 123 priests of the Archdiocese, 27 were unvaccinated. Of these, 15 were vaccinated or obtained an exemption for medical reasons. The Archbishop had warned that "the three months outside the Church for the unvaccinated, may become six, or they may even be deposed."
