November 16, 2002
WHEREAS the General Assembly of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the USA, meeting in November 2002, expressed serious concern about the ongoing failure of the Government of Israel to recognize the canonical election in August 2001 of His Beatitude Irenaios, the Patriarch of the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem.
And WHEREAS the venerable and ancient Patriarchate of Jerusalem is unable to function as a legal entity in Israel, and is thus unable to oversee properly the Holy Shrines and property under its jurisdiction and to operate the schools, hospitals and other institutions through which it serves Greek Orthodox Christians in the Holy Land.
And WHEREAS Orthodoxy worldwide and the larger Christian community has been waiting more than one year for this recognition and finds the delay inexcusable.
Therefore, BE IT RESOLVED THAT
the General Assembly of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the USA respectfully calls upon the State of Israel to recognize the canonically elected Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem, His Beatitude Irenaios, without further delay, thus evidencing its respect for his centuries old rights as well as the rights of the Christian community at large.