In all honesty, were I on one of their parish councils, I’d be asking “Exactly what are we contributing to? A Self Ruled Archdiocese, or an eparchy of the Old Country?”
It’s time for the Royal Priesthood, the Laos, to stand up and be heard from. If they don’t, they do not deserve autonomy.
By the way, everyone knows that the parish priests cannot do this – there is a degree of fear present in the AOCA that I never observed in the GOA on its worst day…and that’s saying a lot. It is completely unfair for us to expect the clergy to shoulder this load. They are the MOST exposed to potential recriminations…they have families to support, and incomes to protect.
This is a job for the laity. The parish councils need to begin issuing resolutions supporting the diocesan bishops, and withholding their dues until this is settled.
The courageous Chancellors of the Archdiocese have opened the door…Now it’s time for the Laos to walk thru.
33 generations of Orthodox are watching and praying for us…time to live up to our patrimony.
Best Regards,
Dean Calvert
OR
Alternatively, that the Holy Synod will, in June, depose +Basil and +Mark for disobedience, leaving the glorious triumverate of Met. Philip, +Antoun & +Joseph to rule the US.
Nothing is so clear as one’s own delusions. The question is, which is the delusion?
]]>I don’t think there is a person in the Archdiocese who can honestly fault either the professionalism or the integrity of two Chancellors.
So, if the Archdiocese in our General Assembly wishes to put forward, debate and adopt such a decision on our own, amending our by-laws, apparently we are free to do so. I find it difficult to imagine that we would freely do so however.
I hope and pray that Met. Philip has the courage, wisdom and strength to let it go, make amends and go forward.
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