Comments on: AOCA Verdict: Invalid, Inapplicable, Inconsistent, Ill-Advised

By: George Michalopulos

George Michalopulos — Tue, 19 May 2009 17:34:09 +0000

Michael, Dean is right. Enough of the nonsense. If this is part of +Philip’s “grand plan,” it’s too clever by half. Should he ccnsolidate control, it’ll be control…of what? A rump archdiocese in which the majority are not Arab? If this is the case, then the mask of “evangelism” is off. It’s better to pray and take Dean’s advice, just walk out and withhold payments. Keep paying the priests as they don’t deserve to suffer, but withhold all further assessment to any higher-ups. That’s a thought.

By: Dean Calvert

Dean Calvert — Tue, 19 May 2009 05:07:55 +0000

I think the AOCA parishes need to take a page from the OCL playbook…and begin to withhold their archdiocesan dues until this is cleared up.

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

By: Michael Bauman

Michael Bauman — Tue, 19 May 2009 03:26:27 +0000

George, it is not that simple. There are some on ocanews.org who hold that the opinion is, somehow, all part of Met. Philip’s grand plan that will only lead to more and fuller control over the Archdiocese.

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?

By: George Michalopulos

George Michalopulos — Mon, 18 May 2009 11:31:10 +0000

Amen. It looks like the bishops aren’t going anywhere now does it? If I were those four jerk priests in Bishop Mark’s diocese, I’d be sweating bullets right now.

By: Michael Bauman

Michael Bauman — Mon, 18 May 2009 02:37:33 +0000

My initial thought after reading the opinion carefully all the way through: I cannot imagine a more complete annihilation of a position (Met. Philip’s) without personality and with evident respect toward both the Holy Synod and Met. Philip.

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.