On the 50th anniversary of the Turkish invasion of Cyprus, Archbishop Makarios of Australia reflects on the enduring impact of this tragedy.
He questions, “Is half a century enough to erase the horrible memories of an unspeakable tragedy and heal the deep wounds it left behind?” and asserts that the answer must be an emphatic no.
Acknowledging time as “our relentless adversary,” he emphasizes the need to preserve historical memory and honor those who sacrificed their lives in 1974. He also highlights the ongoing suffering of “tens of thousands of our brothers and sisters” displaced and the families of the missing.
Despite the painful past, the Archbishop remains committed to “envisioning a just, functional, and viable solution” that adheres to international law and fosters peace, reconciliation, and prosperity for all Cypriots.
He underscores the Holy Archdiocese’s dedication to supporting efforts toward this goal and shares the concerns of the Cypriot diaspora. “By placing our faith in God,” he concludes, “we will remain steadfast opponents of forgetfulness, injustice, and division,” and continue to strive for a future of justice, unity, and peace.
Read the Archbishop of Australia’s message for the 50th anniversary of the Turkish invasion of Cyprus
Is half a century enough to erase the horrible memories of an unspeakable tragedy and heal the deep wounds it left behind? Is half a century enough to diminish the noble vision of restoring justice and building a peaceful future?
For the martyred island of Cyprus, the answer to both questions must be an emphatic no.
Without illusions, recognizing that time is our relentless adversary, we remain steadfast in preserving historical memory and passing it on to future generations. We remain resolute in honoring our heroes, the brave men who gave their lives fighting for God and country in July and August 1974.
We remain steadfast in remembering the displacement of tens of thousands of our brothers and sisters, as well as the ongoing suffering of the families of the hundreds who remain missing. We insist, no matter how painful it may be, on confronting with courage the deep wound that has been tearing at the island’s body for half a century.
At the same time, with an eye on the future, we remain committed to envisioning a just, functional, and viable solution—one that aligns with international law, achieves the reunification of the divided island, and ensures conditions of peace, reconciliation, and prosperity for all Cypriots.
Our Holy Archdiocese remains steadfast in its support for every sincere effort toward this goal. We are committed to listening to and sharing the concerns and aspirations of the tens of thousands of our expatriates who hail from the island. By placing our faith in God, we will remain steadfast opponents of forgetfulness, injustice, and division, and unwavering champions of the vision for a future marked by justice, unity, and peace.
Time, as we know, is our relentless adversary. But we will persevere with zeal and determination, never wavering in our hope and faith in God!