Cyprus: one year in prison for ex-bishop guilty of sexual abuse of a minor

A former Cypriot bishop was found guilty Thursday of sexual abuse of a minor and given a one-year suspended sentence, the first conviction of a high-ranking cleric on the Orthodox island for such acts.

The court in Larnaca (south) found cleric Chrysostomos de Kition guilty of sexually assaulting a 16-year-old girl when he was bishop of the city in 1981.

Protesters' anger

The verdict was greeted by anger from protesters outside the courtroom, who booed and shouted "rapist" upon learning that the court decision had been suspended.

The court justified the verdict on the basis of the law in force at the time, which set a prison sentence of up to two years for sexual assault. He also said he took into account the fragile state of health of the 84-year-old former bishop.

In 1981, Chrysostomos de Kition, who was 42 at the time, "chose his victim, a 16-year-old girl who was seeking financial assistance" and asked her to go on a date alone, Judge Evi Efthymiou said. "Instead of helping her, he chose to assault her," she said, adding that "the only appropriate sentence is imprisonment" but that the "suspended sentence is justified."

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The victim filed a complaint in 2021, 40 years after the fact. Six other women have since filed complaints against the man who, after serving as bishop of Larnaca, held other high-ranking positions in the Cypriot Orthodox Church. The Holy Synod could decide to defrock him at a council on June 13.

The Orthodox Church of Cyprus has a strong influence on the social and political life of the Mediterranean island. It is also a major economic player, with large land holdings and large shares of Cypriot companies, particularly in the banking sector.