Nicosia - The Greek Orthodox Church in Cyprus is embroiled in a public and damaging row over the fate of a high-profile priest who allegedly has AIDS.
The church leader, Archbishop Chrysostomos, has insisted he be defrocked. "It is not a severe punishment because if he has got AIDS he cannot carry out his duties," Archbishop Chrysostomos told state television. The archbishop said that allowing an AIDS-infected priest to give Holy Communion was like "infecting someone with a contaminated needle".
Bishop Chrysanthou of Limassol accused the priest, Archimandrite Pancratios Meraklis, of contracting the virus through homosexual relations.