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) […]

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 […]

Apr

18

The Pope and the Orthodox: Serious About Sexual Misconduct Reform?

April 18, 2008 | Comments Off

by Theophan Zarras
The media is widely reporting news of the Pope’s current visit to the United States and his comments on the sexual abuse crisis.
The pontiff called the scandal a cause of “deep shame”, and spoke of the “enormous pain” that communities have suffered from such “gravely immoral behaviour” by priests. Source
The pope went […]

Feb

1

Rod Dreher: The treason of the bishops

February 1, 2008 | Comments Off

Rod Dreher, former Roman Catholic, now an Orthodox convert, posted an article on his blog which speaks very frankly about the current sex scandals within the Orthodox church.
First he gives some background:
Some readers are aware that the Orthodox Church in America, my church, is undergoing a huge scandal now centered on the hierarchy — especially […]

Jan

9

Researchers miss cause of abuse

January 9, 2008 | Comments Off

Andrew Greeley, a Roman Catholic priest who arguably was “the first priest in America to write about the problem in the priesthood in 1986″ wrote an article late last year which asserted that power — not homosexuality or celibacy in the priesthood — but power and the abuse of the weak (of whatever age) is […]

Dec

10

God Grant Us Fearless Bishops Who Call for Repentance

December 10, 2007 | Comments Off

In light of recent sexual misconduct cover up allegations, we are mindful of our need for holy leaders. December 9th’s Prologue from Ochrid reading by Saint Nikolai Velimirovich reminds us of Orthodox Saints who defended the weak and fearlessly called for repentance. God grant us again leaders in our day of such character. […]

Sep

24

Let’s Get Real About Priestly “Indiscretions”

September 24, 2007 | Comments Off

Author: Fr. Aris Metrakos
Date Published: 9/21/2007
Publication: OrthodoxyToday.org
Aren’t we disgusted with the shocking number of high-profile cases of priests engaged in pedophilia, homosexual activity, and adultery? Some excuse this behavior with the platitudes “a sin is a sin” and “we are all sinners.” Uh, excuse me?
Persons who say “a sin is a sin” don’t live in […]

Sep

6

St. Basil On Protecting The Abused

September 6, 2007 | Comments Off

Today’s reading from the Prologue from Ohrid reminds us that while we are called to forgive those who sin against us, we are also as a church called to champion justice, protect the innocent, and discipline the unlawful. It is a lesson sadly ignored by many of our modern day Bishops. Saint Nikolai Velimirovic describes […]

May

8

Article I: Zero Tolerance

May 8, 2007 | Comments Off

(Editor’s note: This is the expanded draft of Article I of the Orthodox Reform Manifesto to overcome sexual misconduct, establish healing, and restore trust in the Church. Please let us know your comments!)
Article I: Zero Tolerance
The Orthodox hierarchy must have zero tolerance for any type of clergy sexual misconduct.
Orthodox clergy must be above reproach. […]

May

4

Article II: Education

May 4, 2007 | Comments Off

(Editor’s note: This is the expanded draft of Article II of the Orthodox Reform Manifesto to overcome sexual misconduct, establish healing, and restore trust in the Church. Please let us know your comments!)
Article II: Education
We resolve to educate ourselves about how we, as the Church, can prevent abuse and help victims to heal from […]

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