Police on the lookout for Orthodox fanatics during Pope visit

10/4/2010

By Patrick Dewhurst

CYPRIOT security authorities are examining information received about the presence of fanatic Greek Orthodox Christians, believed to be planning demonstrations against the Pope when he visits on June 4.

According to Phileleftheros newspaper, special concerns were raised about the planned visit to the Saint Kyriakos Church in Paphos because a number of the fanatics oppose dialogue between the Orthodox and Catholic churches.

The concerns follow a series of embarrassing anti-Catholic protests by local fanatics in October last year.

Around 100 Orthodox fanatics, including monks, protested against an inter-faith conference hosted by Paphos Bishop Georgios. In one instance, a Catholic Priest was chased out of a church in Chlorakas, while he attempted to marry a Catholic couple. When police arrived some time later a number refused to move on and were arrested.

The newspaper reports that police have received information about known fanatics from Greece, who will be in Cyprus at the same time as the Pope, and whose aim is to stir up trouble. One Greek Orthodox organisation which opposes the dialogue between the churches has expressed its opposition.

Police Spokesman, Michalis Katsounotos, said that for obvious reasons he could not comment on security measures, but confirmed that a comprehensive set of security measures was in place, and that this had been planned over a number of months.

No doubt much of their attention will be focussed on the Pope’s service at Eleftheria stadium, which will be attended by bishops from around the region. The Vatican’s head of security is due to arrive at the end of April to inspect the arrangements.

Phileleftheros said the Pope’s guard is unarmed, and that security during his visits is assumed by the host state.

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