Society is closely monitoring the developments surrounding the scandal at the Monastery of Saint Habakkuk.
The details and information that are coming to light only provoke disgust and revulsion. This applies to both the sexual aspect and the financial aspect of the scandal. However, what truly intensifies the outrage is the apathy displayed by the authorities and institutions!
The scandal, as revealed through the information and records available so far, is merely a reflection of the broader decay we have been experiencing for years on political, economic, and other levels.
The Church should not have presented such a despicable image.
Unfortunately, it has not managed to avoid a parallel downfall, evidenced by past incidents (the former Bishop of Kition, the case of Pangratios, etc.) and repeating today.
While this image might be caused by a few individuals, it tarnishes the overall image of the Church. It becomes even worse because, in this particular case, if the allegations that have come to light are confirmed, it represents a despicable exploitation of the faith of thousands of people seeking courage to face a multitude of problems in their lives.
I will refrain from discussing the sexual aspect of the case, as much as the majority seems to focus on it these days, confirming once again that we are a society that chooses to turn away from substance and focus on the trivial, which fuels gossip.
Two issues of fundamental importance have emerged from the early days of the scandal. First, the shameful exploitation of Christian faith by those involved in the scandal, assuming the allegations that have come to light are confirmed.
If it is true that fake holy oil was used to deceive the faithful, if it turns out that miracles were fabricated to attract thousands of Christians, if it is confirmed that such a counterfeit environment was created to exploit the pure faith of many thousands of people who flocked to the Monastery weekly, then we are dealing with a supreme disgrace.
The “miracle” scandal is an utter disgrace that demands the utmost punishment. Not only by the Holy Synod, because mere defrocking and shaving cannot wash away such vile behavior. It is not enough for some contemptible individuals who donned robes to cover plans that could only be conceived in the minds of mafia-like networks. The law enforcement must commit to this case to bring the charlatans to justice.
At the same time, it is high time for the faithful to stop being gullible. They must stop, without a moment’s thought, running wherever someone, robed or not, proclaims a miracle or weeping icons (even the Archbishop has issued similar advice).
This column does not reject anyone’s expression of faith. On the contrary, it believes that anyone who draws strength from their faith is doing well. It is the mockery by swindlers that needs to be stopped. Some people do not engage in critical thinking. Others face swindlers with excessive naivety, akin to gullibility, allowing them to profit at their expense.
Secondly, from what has been made public about the sad and infuriating scandal of this particular Monastery, there is a noticeable unacceptable inactivity from the authorities and institutions responsible for enforcing the law. The position expressed by the Minister of Public Order, that a complaint must be filed for the Police to act, is not something we agree with.
For example, through a published letter, authentic and signed, a monk claims to have handed over large amounts of black money in bags to Bishop Isaias, even in a parking lot, as he specifically claimed, much like marked mafiosos.
We do not claim whether this is true or not. It needs to be investigated. What are the authorities waiting for? Someone has openly claimed money laundering (not even realising that he implicates himself with his admission). If he doesn’t file a complaint with the Police, will the authorities continue to slumber?
Similarly, in front of the Holy Synod, complaints were made about the vile deception of thousands of faithful through fraud and false representations.
If no official complaint is made, will the authorities continue to turn a blind eye?
Why doesn’t the Attorney General order an ex-officio in-depth investigation of this scandal while letting an 82-year-old risk his life if sent to jail?
Neither the mockery by robed charlatans nor the deception of thousands of people because they fell into the traps of swindlers in an extremely gullible manner nor the provocative passivity with which institutions face such a scandal can be tolerated!
It’s time to wake up; we are in 2024!
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