Jul
2
Greek Press reveals names of GOA priests accused of sexual misconduct
July 2, 2008 | Comments Off
The following article appeared in the June issues of the “Greek Press” on page 2. It is a available online at greekpressonline.com. It lists several GOA priests who allegedly have been credibly accused of sexual misconduct; many with sexual abuse of minors. Several of those accused continue to serve in the priesthood. With the exception of Nicholas Katinas, to our knowledge in none of the following cases has the GOA followed its sexual misconduct policy, which includes public disclosure: “…the disciplining of a Clergyman for Sexual Misconduct should be disclosed to the parish of the Clergyman and to the Church community in general” (see Statement of Policy Regarding Sexual Misconduct By Clergy, Section II – Prevention/Disclosure)
Note: click on the image below for a larger version of this article.
Jun
11
Southern Baptist Convention Takes Stand on Sexual Abuse
June 11, 2008 | Comments Off
Morris H. Chapman, president of the Southern Baptist Convention’s Executive Committee, declared at the SBC annual meeting that sexual predators in churches must be “reported to the proper law enforcement authorities and charged with their heinous crimes.” Chapman went on to say: “One sexual predator in our midst is one too many.” Source
While the Southern Baptist Convention has rejected a sex-abuse database, they at the same time are adopting alternate measures and education. View the SBC web site for more information on these landmark developments, and this document on sexual abuse in particular. Also note the SBC’s Resources for Sexual Abuse Prevention.
Chapman made many notable remarks, including this one:
“We must determine that when we know someone is a sexual predator, we will expose him and bring charges against him for his crimes, whether he is a pastor, a member of the staff or a member of the church,” Chapman continued. “We cannot stand by and refuse to stand up against these vile criminals and allow them to practice their evil deeds.” Source
Read the full article
Jun
11
Rymer Case Settled
June 11, 2008 | Comments Off
Date Published: 6/10/2008
Publication: Pokrov
Subject to court approval, the lawsuit against the former Archimandrite Michael Rymer and the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of San Francisco has been settled. The complaint in this case had alleged that Fr. Michael sexually abused a mentally incompetent man.
Since the plaintiff in this case is an adult with a disability, any compromise of the claim must be reviewed by a judge. A hearing for this purpose has been scheduled for August 5, 2008.
Fr. Michael was defrocked at the request of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America on December 11, 2006. According to court documents filed on January 16, 2007, he resides at the St. John of Shanghai Monastery in Manton, California. This monastery belongs to the Orthodox Church in America, and its abbot is Archimandrite Jonah Paffhausen.
May
27
Defrocked priest reinstated, supported by Metropolitan Isaiah
May 27, 2008 | Comments Off
A priest defrocked for “ethical and sexual reasons” has now been reinstated, and is supported by Metropolitan Isaiah:
“The Synod decided the reinstatement of defrocked priest John Theodore to the active priesthood and ministry of the church. Fr. Theodore had been defrocked e few years ago for alleged ethical and sexual reasons. The reasoning behind the reinstatement of Fr. Theodore was that “he has repented” and also “to give him a second chance.” Metropolitan Isaiah of Denver supports him wholeheartedly. The Holy Synod had discussed Fr. Theodore’s case in its meeting on March 2007.” source
May
27
Petition call for help for victims of OCA clergy abuse
May 27, 2008 | Comments Off
Matushka Carol Bacha has started a petition calling for help for victims of OCA clergy abuse
Click here to learn more about the petition or sign up to add your support.
May
25
Baptist Church Demonstrates Proper Handling of Clergy Sexual Misconduct
May 25, 2008 | Comments Off
Editor’s note: The article below shows the real scandal in such situations: “The truly damaging scandals arise when church leaders mishandle these crises by failing to treat them with the gravity they deserve. Many in church authority have failed their calling and their congregations under similar conditions, through defensiveness, dissimulation and deferring hard decisions.” (Source)
We encourage our readers to contact their respective Orthodox Bishops and admonish them to read this article to learn a lesson on how to appropriately handle clergy sexual abuse.
Editorial: Prestonwood Church does the right thing
Date: Sunday, May 25, 2008
Video: DallasNews.com/video
Article: DallasNews.com
It is quite possibly a church’s worst nightmare: a minister caught in sexual impropriety involving a child.
We’ve seen this play out time and time again over the past few years, particularly in the Roman Catholic Church. Bishop Kevin Farrell, the new Catholic ordinary in Dallas, told this newspaper’s Sam Hodges recently that the diocese is short of money. The bishop didn’t elaborate, but one reason for the financial shortfall is the tens of millions of dollars paid out locally to clerical sex abuse victims. And it’s impossible to put a dollar figure on the loss of trust and confidence in church authorities.
Why has it been so difficult for the institutional leaders in churches to understand what’s at stake for their credibility in these ugly matters? Read more
May
22
Court Orders More Records Released in Fr. Nicholas Graff Lawsuit
May 22, 2008 | Comments Off
Article: Court Orders More Records Released in Lawsuit Involving local Greek Orthodox Priest
Date Published: 5/16/2008
Publication: First Coast News (Jacksonville FL)
JACKSONVILLE, FL — Father’s Day cards are now part of the mounting legal paperwork in a lawsuit involving a former local Greek Orthodox priest and a teenage boy.
The Very Reverend Nicholas Graff is being sued by the mother and grandparents of the boy identified as ”John Doe” because of his age at the time.
Until last June Graff served as a religious leader at the St. John the Divine Greek Orthodox Church in Jacksonville.
The lawsuit alleges that obsessive and inappropriate behavior by Graff escalated into sexual misconduct.
The boy was 10 years old at the time, according to court documents. Read more
May
15
New Poll: Should parishes have power to screen clergy?
May 15, 2008 | Comments Off
Orthodox Reform is conducting a new poll:
Should Orthodox parishes be allowed to do background checks on clergy which Bishops assign to them? Or should clergy be exempt from any parish background screening?
Vote on the sidebar to the right and make your opinion heard.
May
15
Survey: How many priests back open discussion of clergy sexual misconduct?
May 15, 2008 | Comments Off
A recent poll of Orthodox Clergy by the Patriarch Athenagoras Orthodox Institute conducted a first of its kind survey of a variety of issues.
Responses show the percentage of clergy who said that the following subjects are very important and should be the topic of open discussion within the church. Note the following responses which in some cases related to clergy sexual misconduct:
Emotional and psychosexual maturity of priests:
45% of GOA clergy said it should be discussed openly
29% of OCA of OCA clergy said it should be discussed openlyProblems of sexual misconduct by priests:
43% of GOA clergy said it should be discussed openly
25% of OCA clergy said it should be discussed openlyClergy divorces and remarriage of divorced priests:
62% of GOA clergy said it should be discussed openly
17% of OCA clergy said it should be discussed openlyFamily problems of the Orthodox Priests:
55% of GOA clergy said it should be discussed openly
25% of OCA clergy said it should be discussed openly
Read more about the study at Patriarch Athenagoras Orthodox Institute
May
15
Bishop Nikolai Retired By Synod
May 15, 2008 | Comments Off
Article: “OCA Holy Synod issues statements on Diocese of Alaska at 2008 Spring Meeting”
Date Published: 5/13/2008
Publication: Orthodox Church in America Website
SYOSSET, NY [OCA Communications] — The Holy Synod of Bishops of the Orthodox Church in America, meeting at the OCA Chancery in Oyster Bay Cove, NY, May 13 to 15, 2008, has issued the following statements concerning the Diocese of Alaska.
”The Holy Synod of Bishops, meeting at its full, regular Spring Session, reviewed the Leave-of-absence of His Grace, NIKOLAI, Bishop of Sitka, Anchorage, and Alaska, in accordance with the request of Bishop NIKOLAI that this be reviewed at the May Session, rather than at the October Session. The Holy Synod of Bishops of The Orthodox Church in America, meeting at the Chancery in Oyster Bay Cove, New York, effective May 13, 2008, retired His Grace Bishop NIKOLAI (Soraich) from the Diocese of Alaska, with the title ‘Former Bishop of Sitka.’ He remains, in retirement, a Bishop of the Orthodox Church in America.” Read more
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Articles of Orthodox Reform
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Read our ten Articles of Orthodox Reform to overcome misconduct, establish healing, and
restore trust in the Church.
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