Regarding the article: “Supporters of Tychikos warn the Church of Cyprus of a schism – What they state in their letter to the Holy Synod”
This specific publication, as well as previous related reports, creates a serious impression of public pressure and prejudicial condemnation against Metropolitan Tychikos of Paphos, at a time when he continues to request something self-evident in every law-governed society: a fair and impartial procedure.
The statement that “if he continues with the same tune, deposition will follow” can only be perceived as a public message of intimidation directed at a Hierarch who insists on requesting full information regarding the accusations, reasonable time for his defense, and elementary guarantees of natural justice.
Most troubling is the fact that, to this day, crucial questions remain unanswered:
• What exactly are the accusations?
• Who are the complainants?
• Why was sufficient time for a defense not granted?
• Why were basic principles of impartiality not observed?
• How can a process be considered objective when the Archbishop himself appears to have played a decisive role from the beginning through to the outcome of the case?
In any modern legal system, when the same person appears to influence the investigation, the indictment, the procedure, and the outcome, a major issue of conflict of interest and violation of the principle of impartial judgment arises.
Furthermore, the public presentation of the case as “closed,” while the directly concerned party states that he did not have a full opportunity to defend himself, offends every notion of a fair process and reinforces the conviction of thousands of faithful that the decision had been predetermined.
Freedom of the press is a cornerstone of democracy. However, the role of journalism is not to function as a mechanism of pressure in favor of ecclesiastical or other authorities, but to hold authority accountable, expose irregularities, and defend the principles of justice and transparency.
No institution — neither ecclesiastical nor journalistic — stands above criticism when there is an appearance of procedures that violate fundamental principles of natural law and basic human rights.
The demand for a fair trial is not a “refrain.” It is an inalienable right of every human being.