Patriarch Pavle withdraws from duty?

Patriarch Pavle withdraws from duty?

The decision, allowing Metropolitan Jovan to act on behalf of the Patriarch, who is increasingly experiencing difficulties carrying out his duties, is according to the SPC rules, the daily says.

The church rules stipulate that in case a patriarch is incapable of performing his duties due to an illness, the eldest bishop in the Holy Synod takes over and acts on behalf of the patriarch.

According to the daily, the decision is valid until the patriarch resumes his duties, or the Holy Synod decides otherwise.

The newspaper also speculates that certain circles within the Synod plan to push for Patriarch Pavle’s definite replacemement in the session scheduled for May 14.

Patriarch Pavle has been taken ill and hospitalized in Banja Koviljača two weeks ago.