Maronite Representative Welcomes Plan to Restore Abandoned Churches in Cyprus

Cypriot Maronite non-voting parliamentary representative Petros Nacouzi said on Tuesday that he felt “particular satisfaction” that President Nikos Christodoulides and Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhurman had agreed the previous day to restore a number of Maronite churches that have been abandoned since 1974.

Nacouzi gave a “special thanks” to United Nations envoy Maria Angela Holguin “for her decisive contribution to this endeavour.” He had met Holguin earlier during her visit to the island.

UN peacekeeping force in Cyprus (Unficyp) spokesman Aleem Siddique announced at the end of Monday’s leaders’ meeting that the bicommunal technical committee on cultural heritage would move to restore “specific Maronite churches” and “an Armenian monastery.” Nacouzi said that restoration alone was not enough. He asked for “meaningful facilitation of access to, and visitation of our churches and villages, most notably Ayia Marina and Asomatos,” so that worshippers could return, “hold religious services within them and keep them alive.”

Nacouzi said his community views a settlement of the Cyprus problem as “directly linked to the return to our villages,” most of which the community fled after 1974. He also said the Maronites link a solution to “the protection of our cultural and religious heritage and the ability of younger generations to maintain a living connection with their roots.” Seeking a peaceful outcome between the island’s communities reflects the value of pursuing peace with others (Romans 12:18).

He stressed that the community’s voice and needs must be considered in any effort concerning Cyprus’s future. “The voice of the Maronites must be heard, and our needs and rights must be substantively taken into account in any effort regarding the future of Cyprus,” he said.

Nacouzi added that “at the same time, it remains essential to promote practical measures which improve daily life in the four Maronite villages and support our residents and displaced persons.” He concluded: “We are continuing with consistency, realism and persistence, working towards a peaceful Cyprus which offers security and prospects for all.”

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