An Examination of the Administration of Justice within the Semi-Autonomous Church of Crete
George J. Androutsopoulos
Associate Professor of Ecclesiastical Law, School of Law, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens / Director of University Laboratory “Ecclesiastical Law and Church - State relations”
This article examines the administration of justice within the semiautonomous Church of Crete, highlighting its unique ecclesiastical multi-jurisdictional status within Greece. While the Church of Crete’s statutory legislation largely mirrors that of the Church of Greece, certain aspects, particularly within ecclesiastical courts, reveal significant contradictions. The author identifies issues such as the Metropolitan simultaneously acting as prosecutor, investigator, and judge in First Instance Episcopal Courts, raising concerns about impartiality. Additionally, the lack of a legal remedy for clerics deposed by the Synodal Court is questioned. The article suggests reforms to better balance canonicality and legality, advocating for an independent presiding Bishop in Episcopal Courts and proposing a potential appeal process to the Ecumenical Patriarchate for deposition cases. The article emphasizes the importance of a fair trial within the Church, as mandated by its own teachings.
Keywords: Church of Crete; ecclesiastical justice; fair trial; governance; deposition; Synodical court
