Letter to Parishioners, Nov. 12, 2011

MEMBERS AND SUPPORTERS OF THE GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH OF GREATER SALT LAKE

SUPPORTING OUR CHURCH, OUR COMMUNITY, OUR CULTURE

November 12, 2011

Dear Friend,

Last week, the Parish Council sent a letter to Greek Orthodox parishioners celebrating their “victory” in a court case regarding efforts to stop the upcoming Special Assembly The letter was full of half-truths, was disingenuous, and did not tell the full story. And we also wonder: Why does the PC spend so much time on this “secular” court ruling, but still ignore the Holy Eparchial Synod ruling of March 24, 2011, signed by Archbishop Demetrios? That letter tells us to remain as one Parish with free, open assemblies, not to just adopt bylaws that can circumvent that ruling.

THEY SAY:
“In doing so, (denying the temporary restraining order) the Court recognized the ecclesiastical order of our Church and dispelled the notion that the Holy Canons, Traditions and Regulations can be circumvented by secular efforts.”
THE TRUTH
The Court believes both ecclesiastical and secular matters are relevant in our bylaws--it did not grant the Parish Council’s motion to dismiss, which is a “victory” for the plaintiffs (not mentioned in the PC letter). The plaintiffs may review all parish documents—including meeting minutes, stewardship rosters and financial reports that have been hidden from the parish for months. Concealing our parish records led to the court suit in the first place.

THEY SAY:
“This affirms that we are a Church, first and foremost, not just a civic club of casual acquaintances.”
THE TRUTH
No one involved in this effort believes we aren’t a Church. We are not a civic club of casual acquaintances.

THEY SAY:
“We are free to follow our Hierarchs without bowing to the personal agendas of those who try to get their way by legal maneuvering, intimidation and misinformation.”
THE TRUTH:
The only agenda in this struggle is for transparency, open general assemblies, elections and allowing the people their place in the governance of our Church. Intimidation comes from our clergy who threaten the closing of the Church if these bylaws are not passed. Misinformation comes from the “Parish Council” not only in their letter, but by not providing financial information and not holding regular general assemblies or elections in over two years.

THEY SAY:
“…to bring our local Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws into conformity with the Regulations of the Archdiocese by removing antiquated exceptions that have existed in our corporate documents for many years.”
THE TRUTH:
If the current bylaws were not in conformity with Archdiocesan regulations, why hasn’t the Archdiocese intervened in the last 106 years? Now suddenly they contain antiquated exceptions? Please provide documentation of other Greek Orthodox parishes which have adopted these proposed bylaws.

THEY SAY:
“These differences can best be exemplified by the return to the use of the proper name of the Parish: Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral and Prophet Elias Greek Orthodox Church.”
THE TRUTH:
We are and have been the “Greek Orthodox Church of Greater Salt Lake” without issue. This argument is a red herring to further dilute a united community.

THEY SAY:
“At the Special General Assembly there will be presentations by members of our parish council, our clergy, and representatives from the Metropolis and Archdiocese.”
THE TRUTH:
The Archdiocese has spoken through the Holy and Eparchial Synod in their letter of March 24, 2011 (click HERE to read this correspondence). It is time the decision of that letter was enforced. No other presentations are needed.