In the context of the pastoral visit of Archbishop Makarios of Australia to Victoria, an Assembly of the Clergy serving in the Archdiocesan Districts of Melbourne and North Cote took place on Tuesday, August 9, in the presence of Bishops Kyriakos of Sozopolis and Evmenios of Kerasounta, Commissioners in the aforementioned Districts.
In addition to Archbishop Makarios, Bishop Themistocles of Nicopolis, Bishop of the Patriarchate of Alexandria, delivered a speech during the Assembly, on the topic: “The Ministry of the Clergy in the Mission”.
The experienced speaker, among other things, presented the missionary work which is carried out in Sierra Leone, as well as the difficulties encountered there, due to the temperament of the people and the already existing old traditions.
At the same time, the Bishop presented some thoughts and proposals for the missionary activity that the Holy Archdiocese of Australia could have on the fifth continent.
This was followed by a fruitful and constructive dialogue and exchange of views on the establishment of missionary parishes, a vision which, the Archbishop of Australia has already put into practice.
Afterwards, various administrative and practical matters were discussed. Among other things, the Bishops and priests referred to the irregular and improper behaviour of the priest Fr. Eleftherios Tatsis, who, although he had been invited to the Assembly, did not attend or explain his absence from duty as he should have done.
After a long discussion, the priests of the Melbourne and North Cote Districts unanimously declared that they disapprove and do not accept what Fr. Eleftherios preaches and acts against the Church, the Bishops and other clergy, the Prime Ministers and other politicians, and request His Eminence to settle the case of Fr Eleftherios in accordance with the provisions of the Sacred Canons, hoping first and foremost for the repentance and return of the said clergyman.
At the end of the Assembly, Archbishop Makarios thanked the speaker, Bishop Themistocles, and wished everyone a happy and blessed Feast of the Dormition of the Mother of God on August 15.