Bishop favors patriarch to remain

The Serbian Orthodox Church (SPC) should not choose a new patriarch, Bishop of Sabac Lavrentije believes. His comments for the Belgrade daily Vecernje Novosti came after it was announced this week that His Holiness Patriarch Pavle has requested to withdraw from his duties, with the top church meeting, the Holy Assembly of Bishops, set to decide on this on Nov. 11. Bishop favors patriarch to remain Bishop Lavrentije revealed that he will not back a possible initiative that the Holy Assembly of Bishops be given an electoral character. "With all my heart I wish for Patriarch Pavle to remain at the helm of the Church," he said. "I think there is no need to choose a new head of the Serbian Orthodox Church, and I think that the patriarch should, at least nominally, remain in his position. Such position of His Holiness would not interfere with the regular life of the Church," Lavrentije was quoted as saying. The bishop added that "if it is the will of the majority to make the Assembly electoral, so that we get a new patriarch, there is no doubt it will be accepted".

Bishop favors patriarch to remain

Bishop Lavrentije revealed that he will not back a possible initiative that the Holy Assembly of Bishops be given an electoral character.

"With all my heart I wish for Patriarch Pavle to remain at the helm of the Church," he said.

"I think there is no need to choose a new head of the Serbian Orthodox Church, and I think that the patriarch should, at least nominally, remain in his position. Such position of His Holiness would not interfere with the regular life of the Church," Lavrentije was quoted as saying.

The bishop added that "if it is the will of the majority to make the Assembly electoral, so that we get a new patriarch, there is no doubt it will be accepted".