The Syrian Orthodox Patriarchate has decided to definitively deprive Bishop Matta Roham responsibility for the diocese of Gozarto and Euphrates in Syria.
The decision was taken January 25, 2016 by the Patriarchate’s legal office and is now sent to all Syrian Orthodox dioceses in the world. The reason is that Bishop Roham left his diocese illegally a couple of years ago and settled in Austria.
In June 2015 the Synod decided to give him a time limit of six months to return to his diocese in Gozarto. He appealed the decision but without success. The new decision is final and can not be appealed.