Patriarch Stays Out of Greek Orthodox Feud

The Istanbul-based spiritual leader of the Greek Orthodox Church of America says it is up to the U.S. church to settle its increasingly bitter internal dispute.

In a rare interview published Thursday, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew told the Chicago Tribune that “I [can only] give paternal counsel.” His role, he said is to “remind” the church of its “traditions and canons” and to “ask for unity and concord and hope. But it depends on others in the U.S.” to resolve internal church problems.

At the same time, Bartholomew again made it clear that Archbishop Spyridon, the focus of the dispute, will remain in charge of the U.S. church. Spyridon’s critics have called for his ouster.

“He is the archbishop. You must cooperate with him,” said Bartholomew, who appointed Spyridon in 1996.

The U.S. Greek Orthodox Church has been split over Spyridon’s policies, with dissidents who favor greater democracy in the church accusing him of arrogantly ignoring established policy concerning lay and clerical input, among other things.