Published by the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, October 1, 2004

SCOBA Hierarchs Convene for Fall Session

New York, NY - The Fall Session of the Standing Conference of Canonical Orthodox Bishops in the Americas (SCOBA) was convened on September 28, 2004, at the Chancery of the Orthodox Church in America in Syosset, LI, NY. Archbishop Demetrios, Primate of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America and Chairman of SCOBA, chaired the session, which was hosted by Metropolitan Herman of the Orthodox Church in America.

Other hierarchs present at the session were Archbishop Nicolae of the Romanian Orthodox Archdiocese, Archbishop Antony of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, and Bishop Antoun of the Antiochian Orthodox Archdiocese. Also present were: Bishop Dimitrios, SCOBA General Secretary; members of the SCOBA Study & Planning Commission; and representatives of several SCOBA agencies.

Subjects discussed included: participation in the ongoing statistical studies of the Hartford Institute for Religion Research; the 2005 Sunday of Orthodoxy celebration; the reception of the Baptism Statement of the North American Orthodox and Roman Catholic Theological Consultation; approval of a pastoral statement on "Sexual Misconduct in the Church", prepared by the SCOBA Social and Moral Issues Commission; the Military Chaplaincy; and the work of the Orthodox Christian Fellowship agency of SCOBA.

Following lunch, additional reports were heard from the Orthodox Christian Network agency of SCOBA; three new Board members were approved for International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC); initial plans for a cooperative Prison Ministry were approved, as well as a feasibility study for the convening of an Orthodox Bishops Conference in 2005.

Written reports were received from IOCC, and the following SCOBA endorsed organizations: the North American Orthodox Peace Fellowship, the Orthodox Fellowship of the Transfiguration (environmental issues), and the Planning Committee for the North American Conference of Women Graduates of Orthodox Theological Schools.

The meeting began with prayer at 10:00am, and concluded with prayer at 3:15pm.



Volume 6 Number 40 - Tuesday, October 4th, 2004	A Publication of the ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN LAITY