Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 07-05-10

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From: The Cyprus News Agency at <http://www.cyna.org.cy>

CONTENTS

[01] CYPRUS ARCHBISHOP - INTERVIEW

[02] AUSTRIAN PRESIDENT - CYPRUS

[03] CY PLANE - LIGHTNING - SAFE LANDING

[01] CYPRUS ARCHBISHOP - INTERVIEW

There is a breath of fresh air in the church now, he told CNA in an interview, months after his election to the top post of the autocephalous church of Cyprus, which enjoys special privileges afforded to it centuries ago that include autonomy in the decision-making process and signing documents in red ink.

He said the church of Cyprus is seeking not only to maintain but also to develop its good relations with other denominations, including the Holy See and the Russian church.

As part of his effort to strengthen these ties he will visit Brussels next week, the Ecumenical Patriarch in Turkey in late May, the Vatican probably in June and Russia in July.

On future plans for the church, the Archbishop said it needs radical change and noted the changes already brought about at the Holy Synod, the top decision-making body of the church.

By July we hope that the Holy Synod will be fully manned, after the forthcoming elections for its new members, representing newly established bishoprics, he said.

He also said that a team of specialists in church matters, professors and legal experts, will tackle the present church charter to see if any changes are necessary and their work is expected to be finalized later this year, probably in November. We want our flock to feel the church close to it, we are the spiritual mother of every Christian and we want them to feel that we care for each and every one of them, he added.

[02] AUSTRIAN PRESIDENT - CYPRUS

Fischer and his entourage will be welcomed by Foreign Minister George Lillikas and Austrias ambassador in Nicosia Dr. Eva Hager. On Thursday evening they will attend a private dinner at the residence of Cypriot President Tassos Papadopoulos.

The Austrian Presidents official contacts begin on Friday with his arrival at the Presidential Palace to meet President Papadopoulos. After an official welcoming ceremony, the two leaders will hold a meeting which will be followed by official talks between delegations from both countries.

[03] CY PLANE - LIGHTNING - SAFE LANDING

All 118 passengers and the seven-member crew left the plane which returned to Larnaca International airport after it was struck by a lightning while it was in the Paphos airspace.

Civil Aviation Director Leonidas Leonidou told CNA that the Airbus A319, had left Larnaca at 0930 for Athens but the captain reported that he had to turn the plane back since it was hit by a lightning at the right engine, in order, for the CY ground services, to make the necessary checks.

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