Very Good News

I mentioned before that there is a new vision in the OCA where the bishops work in a conciliar fashion with the metropolitan and each other. This was confirmed by the Holy Synod’s minutes at the Chicago meeting [May 2-4, 2011]. Here we will take a look.

“The Holy Synod began the process for establishing clear policies and procedures for the Holy Synod to allow for better communication and accountability within the Holy Synod.”

The bishops recognize that they need to work more closely with each other and the metropolitan in keeping with the OCA’s intended structure.  This intention is important.  Have a look at the Statute of the OCA-

“Article IV, Section 2- The Metropolitan:

a. Consecrates and distributes the Holy Chrism;

b. Provides the diocesan bishops with the Holy Relics necessary for the consecration of Church altars and Holy Antimensia;

c. Convenes the All-American Council, presides over it, and promulgates its decisions;

d. Convenes and presides over the meetings of the Holy Synod and of the Metropolitan Council;

e. Issues pastoral letters addressed to the bishops, clergy, and laity of the Church;

f. Reports to the Council concerning the life of the Church;

g. Initiates action to fill vacancies in the office of diocesan bishop;

h. Gives advice to his brother bishops, and in cases of necessity, submits their cases to the Holy Synod;

i. Has the right of pastoral initiative and guidance, and when necessary the right of pastoral intervention, in all matters concerning the life of the Church within the framework of the holy canons;

j. Receives petitions for admission of clergy from other Orthodox Churches.”

Despite Michelopulos’ complaints, this is the ACTUAL job description.  It is pretty vague in many respects, but the decisions in Chicago do not violate the existing Statute.  He is not a dictator, since he is supposed to submit the bishop’s individual ‘cases’ to the Holy Synod, which is the final authority. Look here:

“Article II, Section  7- Competence

The following matters are within the jurisdiction and competence of the Holy Synod:

a. All matters involving doctrine, canonical order, morals, and liturgical practice;

b. All canonical matters pertaining to the election and consecration of bishops as provided by Article VI;

c. The establishment of new dioceses, the definition of diocesan boundaries, and the acceptance of dioceses into the jurisdiction of the Orthodox Church in America;

d. Transfer of bishops and their retirement in accordance with Article VI, Section 7;

e. The acceptance of bishops from other jurisdictions;

f. Bishops' leaves of absence;

g. Bestowing honors upon bishops;

h. Examination of annual reports by the Metropolitan and the bishops on the fulfillment of their pastoral duties;

i. Solution of problems arising in the administration of individual dioceses and requiring the judgment of the entire episcopate;

j. Determination in all complaints involving bishops;

k. Acting as Supreme Church Court of Appeals for all matters involving bishops, clergy, and laity in accordance with Article XI, Section 6;

l. Establishment of general policies in relation to other Orthodox Churches and non-Orthodox religious bodies;

m. Appointment, upon recommendation by the Metropolitan Council, of the Chancellor, Secretary, Treasurer, and other officials whose competence or service extend beyond the boundaries of a single diocese;

n. Pastoral supervision over all Church organizations whose activity extends beyond the boundaries of a single diocese;

o. Appointment of committees on matters belonging to the competence of the Holy Synod;

p. General supervision over Armed Forces Chaplaincies, with the Metropolitan being particularly and immediately responsible in this field;

q. Decisions in cases involving non-Orthodox clergymen applying for admission into the Orthodox Church;

r. Supervision over theological schools;

s. Establishment of standards required for ordination;

t. Overseeing the missionary, educational, and social programs of the Church;

u. Supervision of ecclesiastical arts: architecture, iconography, choral music, and other applied arts.”

Michelopulos does not have a reasonable expectation of Met. Jonah’s singular supremacy because he is simply not familiar with our Statute. He is used to the Greek system which is very top-down. The Ecumencial Patriarch, Michelopulos former bishop, calls all the shots.  The OCA does not run that way by design.  Jonah was never supposed to be able to hire and fire staff at Syosset.  Look at the Statute.

Now, let’s look at the Chicago decisions.  First at bat-

“The Metropolitan shall appoint a locum tenens from among the other hierarchs of the Synod and not himself, so as not to burden the Primate with supervision of multiple dioceses.”

Look back at the statute and see that this is not controversial. The statute does not automatically make the metropolitan a “locum tenens”. This is a wise move since it leaves the metropolitan out of the frey of managing a local diocese so that he can continue to ask in an impartial manner.

Next at bat-

“…in the Statute cited above [Article II, Section 7, m,] to mean and encompass the chancery staff and membership of the various offices and departments of the OCA which function under the authority of the Holy Synod, the Metropolitan being the presiding officer of the Synod. The officers of the Orthodox Church in America are confirmed by the Synod upon recommendation of the Metropolitan Council and are dismissed from service by the Synod upon recommendation of the Primate, as their service is to all the dioceses of the Church. Thus the chancery of the Orthodox Church in America is understood to be the Synodal Chancery, the other hierarchs, including the Metropolitan, having their own diocesan chanceries.”

Again, read the statute above if you think this clarification is out of whack or unfair. The statute was there when Jonah was received into the OCA. The statute was there when he was ordained a deacon and ordained a priest and when he was building his monastic community.  The statute was there when consecrated a bishop and then elevated to metropolitan.

He took an oath to uphold the statute.  I’m sure he didn’t have his fingers crossed.

Now have a look at this-

“As Primate, the Metropolitan shall be the chairman of the Permanent Lesser Synod. The Metropolitan, as the Chairman of the Synod, shall seek and receive prior agreement of the Lesser Synod for all programs and initiatives relating to the external and internal affairs of the Church. The Lesser Synod also exercises oversight of the officers of the Church and its various departments and offices on behalf of the whole Synod.”

Here’s what the statute says about the Lesser Synod-

“A Permanent Lesser Synod of at least three diocesan bishops, presided over by the Metropolitan, may receive from the Holy Synod a delegation of power to make necessary and provisional decisions on all matters, except those covered by points a,b,c,d,e,f,i,j,k, and l of Section 7. (Cf. Art. V, Sec. 1.)”

Again, when you compare the resolution to the statute you see that it merely clarifies what is already there in the statute.

Next at bat-

“The Chancellor of the Orthodox Church in America is the chief of operations of the Synodal Chancery of the Orthodox Church in America and is accountable to the entire Synod of the Orthodox Church in America. He manages the day to day operations of the Synodal Chancery, the other officers, departments and offices of the Church.”

The chancellor is hired and fired by the Holy Synod according to Article II, Section 7m above.  The resolution is a restatement of the preexisting arrangement, which Jonah’s signature attests to.  He would not, nor would the other bishops, sign something contradicting the statutes without risking a total breakdown of the OCA. They are not stupid.

What the Chicago resolutions accomplish is the confirmation of the Holy Synod’s desire to work together. It is defeat for the Dark Wizard who is now on the receiving end of an investigation.

So, what about the ‘Lavender mafia’ that Michelopulos and Dreher fear? Yes that mob has been defeated. They wanted to split the bishops back into the little boxes they lived when Kondratick ran the OCA and Theodosius stared out the window, unless you believe what Nikolai said and that the Dark Lord Kondratick was working his evils out with Theodosius’ blessing.

Now exposed is Fester's plot to hand the South over to ... Nikolai!  

Nikolai, whose documented abuses of power make the worst accusations against Bp. Mark Maymon look like a cake walk. 

Nikolai whose retaliation at those who tried to help his abused young alcoholic chancellor lead to the latter's outing and legal troubles for the whole OCA, 

Nikolai, who knowing of his poor chancellor's problems with alcohol and ... was cruel enough to saddle him with a chancellor's duties and proposed him as vicar bishop of Alaska.

Nikolai, who himself has (does?) shared a Vegas condo with a male "long Term Companion".  

And Fester was on the phone with him, when he wasn't on the phone with the Dark Lord/arch-enabler of lavender Kondratick.

Rod, want a Lysol wipe for your phone? Yep, you got pinked.

The new Holy Synod is united and you will see Fester get his reward for trying to interfere in the Holy Synod’s internal affairs.