Jordan withdraws recognition of Greek Orthodox patriarch

Jordan announced Sunday that it has withdrawn its recognition of Jerusalem's Greek Orthodox Patriarch Theofilos III, saying he failed to act on a pledge to annul an unsanctioned church property sale to Israel.

Jordanian recognition of the patriarch is necessary under ancient church law, which dictates that any patriarch must have the blessing of the Holy Land's ruling powers - Jordan, the Palestinian Authority and Israel.

While Jordan renounced its claims to east Jerusalem in 1988, it retains custody of holy shrines in the city. Jordan's Cabinet decided in a meeting late Saturday to "withdraw its recognition" of Theofilos "for failing to fulfill the obligations he promised to the Jordanian government," the official Petra news agency reported Sunday. It did not provide other details.

But a government official said that the Jordanian move was sparked by the patriarch's "failure to act on the controversial east Jerusalem land deal with Israel concluded by his predecessor." He declined to elaborate.

Greek Foreign Ministry spokesman George Koumoutsakos said his government "expresses its serious concern" over Jordan's decision to withdraw its recognition of Theofilos.

"The hasty decision by the government of Jordan to withdraw its recognition of Jerusalem's Orthodox Patriarch did not give Patriarch Theofilos the time needed to make the necessary decisions. ... The Greek government continues to support the ancient institution of the Jerusalem Patriarchate," h said.

Theofilos' predecessor, Irineos I, was ousted in May 2005 over claims of being involved in the unsanctioned sale of church property in Jerusalem, including two hotels, to an Israeli company.

Irineos has denied the claims against him, saying a former aide signed the leases without his knowledge. The sales would bolster the Jewish presence in east Jerusalem, a traditionally Arab quarter that Palestinians hope to make their capital.