Jordan reverses decision over Jerusalem Patriarch
AMMAN (ANA-MPA - N. Melissova) The Jordanian government on Wednesday officially announced that it has reversed its decision to withdraw recognition from Jerusalem Patriarch Theophilos III, following a meeting between Greek Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis and Jordanian Foreign Affairs Minister Abdelelah Al-Khatib. The decision to once again recognise Theophilos as Patriarch was made by the Jordanian cabinet on Tuesday. "This is an extremely positive development. We welcome it with the certainty that the Jerusalem Patriarchate will continue to fulfill without obstacles its so very important mission and good work for all its congregation," Bakoyannis said in a statement to the ANA-MPA after the one-hour meeting, noting that Al Khatib had briefed her on the Jordanian cabinet's decision in detail. In a statement on Tuesday night, Jordanian government spokesman Nasser Judeh said that his government was satisfied with the letters sent by the Patriarch and the Patriarchate's Holy Synod saying that no Church land had been sold under Theophilos, adding that he had "honoured all the commitments he undertook when he was appointed as patriarch in 2005". In the letters, Theophilos said that no concessions of Church property had been made during his tenure and that he would continue to protect the Patriarchate's property against every illegal land concession. On her arrival in Jerusalem during a tour of the Middle East, the Greek foreign minister had intensive talks with both the Patriarch and her Jordanian counterpart. Theophilos III replaced Irineos I, who was ousted in May 2005 over claims that he had approved the unsanctioned sale of church property to Jewish investors - an act that is barred under Israel's peace agreement with Jordan in 1994. On May 12 this year, the Jordanian government revoked recognition of Theophilos after receiving what it said was "documented evidence" that he was involved in transactions to sell or lease church property in Jerusalem. Caption: Greek Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis (L) meeting with Patriarch Theophilos III (R) in Jerusalem on Monday, June 11 2007, during her tour of the Middle East. ANA-MPA/Antonis Doukas.
