Angie McKinnon Responds to the Metropolitan's Recent Letters

Moderator's Note: We are posting Angie McKinnon's thoughts with her permission, and have converted the text to html exactly as written.

December 27, 2007

Rev. Matthew Gilbert, Proistamenos
Mr. Nick E. Varanakis, President
The Esteemed Parish Council
Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral
279 South 300 West
Salt Lake City, Utah 84101-1797

To Whom It May Concern:

It is with great restraint that I need to respond to the two communications from The Metropolitan Isaiah of Denver.

I was appalled at the tone of the two letters and would have expected much softer and healing language in both coming from a metropolitan. The letter regarding the priest assignment was totally judgemental and would have served the community much better if the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th paragraphs had been eliminated entirely. It came across as very mean-spirited and hurtful.

It is not my place to argue the decision that was reached (although I am very disappointed in it) – it was his decision to make – but rubbing salt into the wound was certainly not necessary and totally out of line and not very Christian in my humble opinion.

And now the second letter regarding becoming separate parishes. This letter’s underlying anger is certainly not lost on the reader. When has anyone heard the words “bull dung” in a communication from the Archidiocese? It is unfathomable that The Metropolitan would stoop to that level to convey his feelings.

Quoting The Metropolitan now, (As long as your one and only question in the life of the community is, “What is best for the Church?” you will be doing what the Lord expects of you)…Perhaps the time has come for The Metropolitan to step down since it is obvious that he has lost any ability to convey his feelings to the Parishioners in a manner befitting his position. I am truly embarrassed by his communications at this holiday season.

I apologize if I have offended anyone – but I have been seething over this since I received the letters and felt I needed to express my feelings on the matter.

Best Wishes for the New Year to All,

{signature}

Angie McKinnon