A Publication of the ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN LAITY
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| Volume 6 Number 25 - Tuesday, June 22nd, 2004 |
A Publication of the ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN LAITY |
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The Orthodox Christian News Service |
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Saint Basil’s happy endingThe news that the decision for the closing of St. Basil Academy was reversed by the Appellate process of the Bureau of Special Hearings of the State of New York was the best news the Greek American community has had for many weeks. Appellate Judge David Molik called the decision of the Office of Children and Family Services “arbitrary and capricious.” Think for a minute about the dynamics of the two words “arbitrary” and “capricious,” and the ethical implications that are included in them. The painful sting imposed on the institution of our Greek Orthodox Church and our community, has caused a deep pain and trauma in the innocent hearts of the children of St. Basil. But the Appellate Judge is very clear. Here is how she put it: “It is clear that the Office’s determination to deny the Appellant’s application for an operating certificate was made without sound basis in reason and without regard to the facts. Accordingly, it is concluded that the Office’s determination to deny the Appellant’s application for an operating certificate was not a valid exercise of its powers of supervision and enforcement. Therefore, that determination is reversed.” It was clear from the very beginning—as we have stressed many times—to every person of good will that the OCFS’s decision to close down St. Basil Academy had racial underpinnings. Thank God it was reversed. The lack of regard for the well being of those 35 children certainly raises many ethical questions, which at some point, have to be answered by those who were involved in that “arbitrary and capricious” decision against the Academy. Finally, the ordeal of the Academy provides the opportunity to the leadership of our Church in America to deal more seriously with its institutions, to ensure that they are never put in threat of closure. The welfare of these institutions should be a concern to all Greek Americans, because they were established through the tireless and sacrificial efforts of our pioneers, the first immigrants.
We most certainly have a sacred obligation as
Greek Americans to contribute to our institutions
with every possible ethical and material
assistance we can. |
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