Administration

Actually, more than a makeover, a complete rebuild. Have a look. Don’t forget to update your bookmarks.

(1) Editorial decisions at the AOI Observer are made by the editors.

I spent many years working as a newspaper reporter. In that business, people were always complaining about “negative” news stories. Frequently, these were stories that put their subjects in an unfavorably light. Sometimes, these very same people were complaining about negative news coverage even as they were led, in leg shackles and handcuffs, into various courtroom hearings. I’m sure that they were still complaining about negative news coverage in their jail cells, but by then they were out of earshot.

Some people even complain about positive news stories. Usually, it’s those sorts of stories that put their enemies in a positive light.

News decisions are judgment calls. Sometimes we might make a bad call at the AOI Observer. I like to think that we’re making a lot of good calls by the kind of traffic we’re generating here. In any event, we will continue to post news and commentary about the social witness of the Orthodox Church — as we see it. Sometimes, we may post something here simply because we find it interesting.

(2) Patently false, unwarranted assertions and claims are not convincing as arguments.

I can claim that I was abducted by aliens, or that I still have a shot at playing Major League Baseball, but that doesn’t make it so. Claiming that the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America and the Ecumenical Patriarchate are not the chief impediments to the unity of American Orthodox Christians within an autocephalous, American Orthodox Church, is not only laughable, it’s absurdly false. We’ve been, I’m afraid, a bit over-tolerant of people on this site, like Tom Kanelos, who repeatedly make this false claim. We’ve allowed him and others to post these untruthful comments here because we have been trying to foster an open exchange of ideas and insights about the deep crisis that American Orthodoxy is currently experiencing. I fear we have been too tolerant, and allowed for too long to let this howling-out-loud lie — that Greek Orthodox prelates are interested in unity — to circulate here.

So, the AOI Observer issues a challenge. We’re calling the bluff. This blog would be delighted to receive essays in support of an autocephalous, American Orthodox Church written by Greek Orthodox seminary professors, deacons, priests and bishops. In particular, the Observer would be most interested in articles that were published in print or online in the 1994-2008 period. Let’s call it The Post Ligonier 1994 Era. Videotapes or DVDs of Greek clerics speaking out publicly in support of an independent, unified American Orthodox Church, free of foreign control, be it Greek, Russian, Arab, Serbian, Finnish, Romanian, Carpatho-Russian — you name it — would be received with gratitude. Homilies, church bulletins, meeting flyers and the like that were printed for the purpose of organizing talks and meetings at Greek churches in support of Orthodox unity would be helpful. We would review these materials for possible reprint or posting on this blog, based on our own independent editorial judgment.

If it turns out that the historical record in this regard is … a bit thin … then we would consider publishing new material that advocates for an independent American Orthodox Church written by Greek Orthodox clerics. Let’s call this editorial project, “The Orthodox Church of Tomorrow.” No pen names may be used, please. Indicate, along with your author ID, the name of the parish where you serve and the name of your Greek Metropolitan, who will receive a complimentary copy of your article. These commentaries should be written in a charitable and moderate spirit, and should be informed not merely by personal opinions but also the factual record.

(3) The Orthodox Church has a corruption problem.

This blog has been chiefly interested in financial corruption, wherever in the world it occurs, because it seems that Orthodox churchmen have a particular flair for this. Entire Web sites are now dedicated to rooting out the rot, like Orthodox Christians for Accountability. Increasingly, however, concerned Orthodox laity are focusing on sexual abuse in the the Church, like Pokrov.org, “a resource for survivors of abuse in the Orthodox Churches.” These Web watchdogs are performing a much needed ministry for the Orthodox Church. The word ministry is chosen intentionally. Continue reading →

Here are the guidelines for comments folks: First, any comment that does not directly address the ideas presented in the main article won’t be posted. Second, AOI comments is not a debating forum although reasonable responses to other comments may be considered on a case by case basis. Most often however, they will not be posted. Third, declarations of support or non-support won’t be posted without coherent reasons explaining your position.

Any further comments containing personal attacks, snide remarks, innuendos, etc. will be deleted. No exceptions. Serious issues require serious deliberation.

Disposition of the comments are final.