Still More Accuracy in Reporting?
Leading (even as primate) means casting a vision, not imposing one. If the Holy Synod is balking at the latter, or, more likely, having great difficulty reconciling the stated vision with His Beatitude’s actions and inactions, it’s worth hearing them out. What was being handled as an affair internal to the Holy Synod has now been turned into a circus of suspicion and accusation. One must also ask what real vision is being presented and pursued by His Beatitude? A pro-life Orthodoxy? His predecessors and brethren have both articulated this (and His Beatitude was strangely silent a year ago). An evangelical Orthodoxy? The Metropolitan is not the only one pursuing that. (For example, Bishop Melchisedek has begun a pilot of Natural Church Development in four parishes in his diocese, and I serve a new outreach with his blessing.) An Orthodoxy with pious, monastic bishops? His Beatitude isn’t the only one. What else?
This entry isn’t intended to be critical of His Beatitude, but rather to call the Metropolitan’s supporters, particularly the Anonymous Cowards, to accountability. Accusing bishops of actions they could not have taken is, well, …what would you call it?
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Elijah:
April 7th, 2011 at 3:42 pm
Its all how you read it I guess. Your quote from OCAT doesn’t say “current synod”. So when I read it I thought it was speaking of the Synod the organization. The organization “The Synod” seems to be the target here, the previous postings on OCAT seems to imply this as well.
This is evidenced by the previous actions being taken by “It” (the synod), and “The Synod” (a proper noun). Then when speaking of the current actions using the word “they.”
It (The Synod as an organization) sat around for years and did nothing about Met. Theodosius’s abuse of office. It (The Synod as an organization) did nothing but wring its hands over Met. Herman following in that tradition.
Then the quote you use switches to “They”. “When we finally got a primate who was uncorrupt and visionary, though one who needs help mastering the finer points of administration, oh, that’s when THEY suddenly got vigilant”
Nit picky I know… but it seems thats what you are looking for, nits to pick.
Elijah:
April 7th, 2011 at 3:47 pm
Also note that the Author there at OCAT uses the word “tradition” there as well. This implies that habits/practices of one synod are being passed on to the next. This can also be implied to mean that while the current Synod is not of course to blame for the Met. Theodosius’s issues but the new Synod members were following in that tradition of non-action.
I hardly think the OCAT guys are the sinister spinsters you make them out to be.
Fr Basil Biberdorf:
April 7th, 2011 at 10:06 pm
Sorry, Elijah, but that reading doesn’t work. The “tradition” refers to the continuation of the sorry behavior from the time of Met. Theodosius to the time of Met. Herman.
The cowardly author is talking about the current hierarchs: “Nothing these bishops ARE DOING makes a single thing the Orthodox Church teaches untrue.”
Worse, the truth site is just adding the opposite to the mix.
Fr. Yousuf Rassam:
April 8th, 2011 at 11:53 am
Dear Fr. Basil,
I think it is much easier to attack “the Synod” than deal with specific men and their actions. Of those who were ruling bishops during Met. Herman, they all accepted the SIC report and asked Met. Herman to resign. Bp. Benjamin worked with the other SIC members, a monumental work, but how much credit does Bp Benjamin get from OCATruth?
I think OCATruth and most of its supporters don’t really know the bishops involved, not personally certainly, nor do they really pay attention to their records or reputations. I know Bp. Benjamin, Bp. Tikhon (Mollard) and Bp. Michael well. And I know enough about the reputations of several others – Bp. Melkhizadek has had a good reputation for decades. For me, the way OCATruth writes about “The Synod” is deeply offensive and ignorant.
I seem to recall some words, I’m quoting from memory “I deeply respect these men. They need a chance to lead as a Synod with a Metropolitan who is engaged.”
James J.Read:
April 13th, 2011 at 12:36 am
Do members of the OCA, clerical and lay, have a death wish? I am aghast at the zeal with which scandals, real and imagined are exposed. We now witness clergy condemned before trial, as is currently happening to Vladika Seraphim. Irrespective of the guilt or otherwise of individuals from the viewpoint of both civil and canon law, we should surely await a virdict before condemning them. At present, the church is tearing itself apart, the devil being the sole beneficary.