A Publication of the ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN LAITY
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| Volume 6 Number 27 - Tuesday, July 6th, 2004 |
A Publication of the ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN LAITY |
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The Orthodox Christian News Service |
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AN INDEPENDENCE DAY CALL TO ALL PARISHES OF THE GREEK ORTHODOX ARCHDIOCESE OF AMERICA AND TO ALL DELEGATES TO THE UPCOMING CLERGY-LAITY CONGRESS: PRESERVE THE INTEGRITY AND INDEPENDENCE OF OUR ARCHDIOCESE AND OF THE CLERGY-LAITY CONGRESS On July 4, 1776, America’s founders, inspired by the democratic spirit of ancient Greece and the ideals of Christian devotion, proclaimed their independence from arbitrary abuse of power which disrespected the views and personhood of individual citizens. Those immigrants who brought Greek Orthodoxy to America were inspired by that same spirit and ideals, established a church faithful to its spiritual traditions and reflective of America’s finest principles. Unfortunately, in recent years, those who hold authority in our Archdiocese have broken faith with this tradition, this has been sadly demonstrated by an arbitrary disregard for the rules and procedures that govern Clergy-Laity Congresses. Parishioners who have raised legitimate legal questions of the proposed charter imposed by the Patriarchate in Istanbul have been threatened and intimidated by Church authorities. The deadline for sending the Congress agenda - 60 days before it convenes - has been, as in past years, smugly ignored, and communities are in the dark about what will be discussed. New and extensive regulations governing the relations between the parishes and the hierarchy have yet to be seen by clergy or laity, even though the Clergy-Laity Congress is less than three weeks away. These proposed rules are based on a Charter issued unilaterally and improperly by the Patriarchate which is under legal challenge in the New York State Supreme Court. It is unwise for any institution to ignore its own rules, but it is a grave matter for a Church to do so. For the heart of the Christian Orthodox message is that the ends do not justify the means. This same spirit imbues our Declaration of Independence, Constitution and Bill of Rights. On the occasion, this Fourth of July, all Greek Orthodox of good faith are obligated to demand that the Clergy-Laity Congress adhere to its rules and ensure that anyone, powerful or weak, rich or poor, lay or clergy, enjoy their birthright as Greek Orthodox Americans, to a free and fair Congress.
A MESSAGE FROM THE ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN LAITY
TO THE FAITHFUL OF THE GREEK ORTHODOX ARCHDIOCESE |
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