Corona

Published by The National Herald, July 29, 2005

Archbishop Discusses Corona And His Meeting With Burns

BOSTON – In an interview with the National Herald during last week’s AHEPA Convention here, His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of America said he is ready to resolve the longstanding issue of the Transfiguration parish community in Corona, New York "at any minute," if the members of the community’s former parish council (who are currently under penance) "ask for forgiveness and accept all the decisions of the Church."

The Archbishop said he was willing to accept the group in early August, upon his return from Greece and his upcoming meeting with His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople at the Phanar, but only if they agree to clearly comply with the Church’s decisions.

Demetrios very briefly discussed his recent meeting in Washington with the Undersecretary of State R. Nicholas Burns, a former American Ambassador to Greece (and to NATO), and said his impression is that Mr. Burns "has complete knowledge" of major Hellenic concerns, and "is willing to contribute to lasting and correct solutions."

His Eminence also shed some light on his views concerning AHEPA (the American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association), the largest Greek American organization in the country.
The full text of the interview with the Archbishop is published below:

TNH: Your Eminence, what are your thoughts on AHEPA and its role in the Greek American community?

DEMETRIOS: AHEPA is a very important segment of our Omogeneia. I have had the honor of having very close relationship with this organization over the years that I have been here in the United States. I have attended all its General Assemblies.

DEMETRIOS: I cannot be a member. As an Archbishop, I am something different than a member. We have a close cooperation, and I see that there is the possibility of AHEPA accomplishing many good things in the areas of education and philanthropy, and in supporting Hellenism. It is not only AHEPA, but its other dimensions as well, the Women and the Youth organizations (i.e., Daughters of Penelope, Sons of Pericles and Maids of Athena). In some of its conventions in the past, we had the opportunity to hold Bible Study sessions. There is therefore a very constructive and substantial relationship, and that is why it gives me great joy to be here with them this evening. I happen to know a lot of these people personally, and I am enjoying this wonderful opportunity to join them tonight (during the Convention’s annual Grand Banquet at the Boston Sheraton last Saturday evening, July 23).

TNH: How was your meeting this morning with Undersecretary of State Nicholas Burns in Washington?

DEMETRIOS: We discussed the main subjects concerning Hellenism, which are, of course, the Macedonian and Cyprus issues and the Ecumenical Patriarchate.

DEMETRIOS: I am telling you that it was a very substantive meeting. Mr. Burns has complete knowledge of all these issues. He is willing to contribute to lasting and correct solutions. This is the image that I have kept in my mind from our meeting.

DEMETRIOS: Yes. We know each other. We have been friends for many years, and Mr. Burns had in the past suggested that we meet. I thought that this was the right time for a meeting since many of these issues have resurfaced.

TNH: What will you talk about at the Pan-Macedonian Federation’s annual convention this coming week in Kavala, Greece where you are scheduled to speak?

DEMETRIOS: The message is that we have to continue our efforts. The issue of the name of FYROM (Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia) is a developing situation, and as such, it requires absolute vigilance and willingness on our part to achieve a good solution to all its pending details.

TNH: What did Mr. Burns tell you about the issue of the Theological School of Halki? Why is it not reopening?

DEMETRIOS: Halki is part of a larger problem. It is not an independent issue. Mr. Burns did not tell me anything about it, but he knows the subject very well. He knows that former President Clinton and President Bush have personally expressed interest in this matter. Halki is part of a more complicated problem.

TNH: When will the Archdiocese close the open, hemorrhaging wound that is the parish in Corona?

TNH: What should be done by the members of the ousted parish council in order for them to be reinstated in the Church? Do you want them to come to you and ask for forgiveness, and if not, how would you like them to behave?

DEMETRIOS: They must ask for forgiveness, and they must accept the decisions of the Church.

TNH: But they have already asked for forgiveness and reconciliation through their letters, haven’t they?

TNH: If they come to you after you return from Greece and Constantinople and ask for forgiveness, will you accept them?

DEMETRIOS: If they show a willingness to accept the decisions of the Church, of course I will accept them. But they must be willing to accept the decisions of the Church from A to Z. I am absolutely open, but it must be done this way, and with clarity.



Volume 7 Number 31 - Tuesday, August 2nd, 2005	A Publication of the ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN LAITY