[MSN] Greek bishop asks Pope to return piece of Parthenon.

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Greek bishop asks Pope to return piece of Parthenon

Reuters
Thursday, December 14, 2006; 12:56 PM



VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - Greece's top religious leader asked Pope Benedict
on Thursday to return a piece of the Parthenon in the Vatican Museums, Greek
officials said.

Christodoulos, Orthodox archbishop of Athens and of all Greece, made the
request during a visit when he and the Pope signed a joint declaration on
issues of common concern, such as the defense of life.

According to spokesmen for Christodoulos, the Pope was a bit perplexed by
the request, perhaps not knowing that the vast museums he technically owns
as sovereign of Vatican City have a fragment of the 5th century BC
structure.

He said he would consider the request, they said.

Greece has been campaigning for decades to get back all pieces of the
Parthenon held in museums and private collections around the world. The
2,500-year-old Acropolis monument is seen as the epitome of the Golden Age
of Athens.

Much of a procession frieze from the Parthenon is in the British Museum as
part of a collection known as the Elgin Marbles, after the British
ambassador who took them from the Acropolis and transported them to Britain
in 1802.

The British Museum has repeatedly turned down requests to return them,
saying the marbles are in better care in London, safe from the Athens
pollution that damaged those left behind.

Greece hopes a museum being built at the foot of the Acropolis, especially
to house the marbles, will be ready in 2007.

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