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Submitted July 1, 2005

New Questions About OCA Finances: 9/11 Funds

The admission of an operating loss of $1.25 million in 2002 contained in preparatory papers ("Funding the Vision", pp. 5-6) for the upcoming 14th All American Council (AAC) raises not only general questions about the lack of transparency in OCA finances, but also specific questions about, for example, the disbursement of more than $285,201 collected by the Church for 9/11 victims (Reports to 13th AAC, p. 49). Conflicting public statements on when the funds were distributed -- such as church documents indicating that all 9/11 funds seemingly had been disbursed by the end of 2001 (Financial Report to 13th AAC, pp. 7-8) -- fully two months before the Committee that was to decide on disbursements had met, only lead to more questions about the same. For while photos and documents evidence Metropolitan Theodosius presenting a $25,000 donation to the ASYMCA for families affected at the Pentagon, there are no Church documents evidencing any further disbursement (see [B] below and also The Orthodox Church newspaper, March '02, p. 6) .

Background

The OCA established a 9/11 Appeal Committee composed of 11 members: 1 laywoman, 1 deacon, and 9 priests -- including the present Treasurer of the OCA. At that time Fr. Robert Kondratick, OCA Chancellor, underscored that the Committee was a decision-making, not a consultative body.

The 9/11 Appeal Committee

The Committee met only on two occasions, in December '01 and February '02. A planned third meeting [A] did not take place. At the February meeting, it was agreed that in addition to the Pentagon donation ($25,000) distributions would be made to four firehouses in New York ($100,000). Commission members also decided that families of civilian victims should receive $5,000-$10,000 each, depending on their circumstances and needs.

The Orthodox Church newspaper reported on the NYC Holy Virgin Protection Cathedral benefit concert for its neighboring firehouse, where $3,500 was given by the parish (see [B]. TOC newspaper Oct/Nov '01 indicates that Fr. Christopher presented $2,500 from his parish and $10,000 from the Order of St. John of Jerusalem). But there has been no statement about donations to firehouses from the OCA itself. As for WTC victims, only a handful were associated with the OCA, and only one, who was then in divorce proceedings, attended church on a regular basis. The husband, who had abandoned her, was not considered eligible for financial assistance. If individuals received monies, the Committee charged with this responsibility did not identify them in any way. Even if monies were disbursed to Committee-designated recipients, $155,000 should remain in the Fund.

Did the Church use the monies for 9/11 related purposes such as the publicized donation of a bell for the Greek Church of St. Nicholas which was destroyed on 9/11?

Were funds given to the International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC)? See link [B] above.

Did monies go to cover expenses such as the Metropolitan's visit to Bolling Air Force Base and the St. Sophia GOA Cathedral in Washington? Or -- for OCA participation in an interfaith conference on terrorism, peace and justice?

Church documents prepared for the 13th AAC make clear that the OCA raised more than $750,00 through appeals in 2001 (Financial Report, p. 7). They also indicate that $700,000 was disbursed (p. 8). Even assuming that the entire $50,000 difference was indeed 9/11 related, over $100,000 still remains unaccounted for.

Transparency is the criterion of accountability. Accountability is the basis of credibility.



Volume 7 Number 27 - Tuesday, July 5th, 2005	A Publication of the ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN LAITY