THE GREEK ORTHODOX FAITHFUL IN THIS COUNTRY DESERVE BETTER THAN THIS FROM THEIR SHEPHERDS

Moderator's Note: The following is a response to the National Herald article (see previous blog).

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Again we witness the logical consequences of illogical Uniform Parish Regulations and a warped Charter. 

Given limitless power, the hierarchy and clergy misuse it, act in the most unchristian manner, and adopt Dark Ages mindsets. 

The Greek Orthodox faithful in this country are currently witness to a clergy that engages in curses, ongoing threats of dismissal of elected Parish Councils, threats of excommunication, clergy strikes, misuse of benevolent funds, sex abuse scandals, the pitting of the laity against each other,  financial scandals, hierarchical tantrums by tyrannical Metropolitans who chastise both their flock and their supposed Archbishop - the list of these outrages is seemingly endless!

Further, we have an Archbishop who made a mistake; he is human, not infallible. It is clear that the clergy pool from which he has to choose is comprised of dismal choices. Admit the error and move on; your flock will understand. (Your brother bishops are, sadly, another matter.) Regardless, try to find just one priest worthy of being Proistamenos at the Archdiocesan Cathedral. Is there not one? If not, the Church structure and administration in this country - to say nothing of the theological school - is sorely in need of some serious rethinking! (See Michael Jaharis' December 2012 analysis in the National Herald) 

Is this any way to lead the Church - the Bride of Christ? 

It is time for the Patriarch to fix that which he has broken.