That being said, what bothers me is that Archbishop +Demetrios made categorical remarks regarding the presence of homosexuals in the GOA clergy and hierarchy, that is, that there aren’t any. Personally, I hope he’s right but if he’s not, then I am perplexed as to why he made them. If the opposite is the case, then he left himself open to potential criticism.
I’m at a loss to explain. Anybody have any ideas?
]]>Apparently, the problem is unfortunately common in Amish communities.
I do find it confusing how religious leaders can be so sensitive to the nuances and complexities of many moral issues yet remain passive and almost impotent in the face of an obviously dark and sordid abuse of power.
While perpetrators should be granted compassion and treatment, it is unjust to let them remain in positions where they can continue their behavior (as the Catholic Church has done for decades).
]]> In my opinion, the Bishops have a responsibility for the conduct of
their priests. And they have a responsability to take action when they
learn that priests are committing abuse.
The actions of the Catholics and Orthodox Churches (and all others) in
failing to prevent abuse against children is outrageous. It is in
Church above all else where children and young people should be safe,
and where families should feel confident.
Most people on the street without any theological training or expertise
in scripture and Canon Law recognize that abusing children is morally
repugnant. How it is that high ranking Church men could fail to
recognize the abuse of children as a terrible evil is something I do not
comprehend.
Under Canon Law, the process of defrocking such priests should have
been immediate once their offenses were known. Financial issues should
be the least of the Church’s concerns.
The greatest concern should be the harm that was done to the victims
and their families, and to the faithful who are profoundly distressed
when such things occur.
Theodoros
]]>Mary, how can you call for clergy or laity to submit to their bishops and then claim these same bishops have no responsibility for the moral oversight of those under them. You can’t have authority and oversight when it is convenient.
Sounds to me like you subscribe to “Sgt. Schultz” model of Church administration. “I see nothing….. I know nothing……
]]>… the apology needs to come from the perpetrator of the abuse… our Archdiocese did not commit the abuse and neither did our Holy Orthodox Church.
And The World replied with (insert tone of voice here*), “It is this very attitude that causes me to think SO highly of the Orthodox Church.”
(*Tone of voice choices: Sarcasm, irony, mockery, derision, scorn, disdain, or cynicism.)
It is sad to think that the Orthodox laity might believe that the appropriate response of the Bishops should be to either (1) “lawyer up” (which seems to be what Chrys is saying in post 1.1), or (2) to say nothing.
Is not the church a family? If my adult son was to do something reprehensible I would certainly expect the law to hold him accountable, but should there not be something in me that feels the need to apologize as well? Where is the leadership to show us how to live?
]]>I have not followed the GOA cases in the particular.
In the RC cases, the legal system found (rightly I believe) the diocese’s and church liable because they quite literally protected the perpetrators instead of the children.
So in a very important sense (at least in the RC cases) to say “our Archdiocese did not commit the abuse” is wrong. In fact, the abuse was magnified and enabled by the church.
Perhaps someone with more knowledge will indicate if this is the situation in GOA. I would guess that it is, or a large settlement probably should have been harder fought.
]]>While we are in the world, evil will continue to attack us. I pray that the greater knowledge and understanding of the crime of sexual abuse, which our clergy and laity now have and are continuing to acquire, will result the prevention of ordaining such men to the clergy, in fewer lawsuits, that an abused person will be embraced with love and care by the people of God, and that perpetrators will be led to their own redemption and reclamation by submitting themselves to their bishops, admitting their error, apologizing to those they harmed, and by being removed from situations where they might be tempted to reoffend.
I know I may have over-simplified for brevity, but I absolutely believe the Holy Spirit is already moving in our Church to accomplish this very thing.
]]>Having said that, this interview reveals a decade of incompetence and malfeasance at least on the part of a lot of functionaries on 79th St. What really struck me was the plea for Holy Cross to be supported by the government of Greece. Wow. Also his unequivocal statements that no homosexuals have been or would be ordained to the episcopate and clergy. We know that to be false. Is he naive or deluded? I can’t imagine him to be peddling a known falsehood.
I wonder if this interview was a way of “getting ahead of the story.” It’s possible that other things are coming down the pike.
Chrys, I’m not a lawyer. I’ve just had the pleasure of being hauled into court a couple of three times (witness, plaintiff, defendant –long story). I’ll defer to Isa and Nick.
]]>The Archbishop could take a page from the Catholics:
]]>Once the legal system is involved, my understanding is that that’s about all you can do. George will, I’m sure, have a much greater understanding of this sort of thing with his legal background.
]]>Now if I apply this logic to my own life, I could just write a check to my priest now and then and stop going to confession because if I pay enough I do not have to confess my sins.
]]>