Australian Court Awards $300K to Abp. Makarios

Photo: greekorthodox.org.au

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA — The Federal Court of Australia has awarded $300,000 in damages to Abp. Makarios of Australia after finding that a series of Greek-language articles published online were defamatory.

In a judgment delivered February 27, Justice Wendy Abraham ruled that four 2021 articles on the website Greek Flash News, published by Alkis Morelas, conveyed serious allegations as statements of fact. The Court found the reports accused the Archbishop of misusing bushfire donations, misappropriating Church funds, accepting bribes for episcopal appointments, and covering up alleged sexual misconduct.

Justice Abraham determined the claims were based on hearsay, speculation, and misinterpretation of documents, with no verified factual foundation. The Court rejected defenses of honest opinion, qualified privilege, and justification, concluding the publications caused serious harm to the Archbishop’s reputation and personal distress. Aggravated damages were awarded, and a narrower injunction will restrain similar future allegations. Costs were also ordered against the publisher.

Previously, the UOJ reported that the Cyprus crisis deepened as Met. Tychikos sought legal reinstatement from courts.

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