Wednesday, December 19. 2007
Struggling Harder and Harder
Your comments are welcome.
Trackbacks
Trackback specific URI for this entry
No Trackbacks
Comments
Display comments as
(Linear | Threaded)
A New OCA Christmas Carol
Based on how things are working out or, more accurately, not working out, I have composed the following Christmas carol for the OCA (sung to the tune of "The Twelve Days of Christmas"). In order not to take up too much space, I'll just share the very last verse, which contains all twelve stanzas.
The Twelve Years of Herman
In the twelfth year of Herman, my true love gave to me:
12 new MC members,
11 different stories,
10 new excuses,
9 new explanations,
8 more temper tantrums,
7 new appointees,
6 more costly lawyers,
5 gag orders,
4 program cuts,
3 walk outs,
2 more resigned,
and a Church on the verge of collapse!
Based on how things are working out or, more accurately, not working out, I have composed the following Christmas carol for the OCA (sung to the tune of "The Twelve Days of Christmas"). In order not to take up too much space, I'll just share the very last verse, which contains all twelve stanzas.
The Twelve Years of Herman
In the twelfth year of Herman, my true love gave to me:
12 new MC members,
11 different stories,
10 new excuses,
9 new explanations,
8 more temper tantrums,
7 new appointees,
6 more costly lawyers,
5 gag orders,
4 program cuts,
3 walk outs,
2 more resigned,
and a Church on the verge of collapse!
#1
David Barrett
on
2007-12-19 17:40
Dang. Another home run. Funny how simple honesty seems to be disregarded as a way, indeed the only way out of this mess. My confessor is a wise and shrewd man, and if I tried similar blame shifting and evasion in my confession, Father would put me through some uncomfortable moments until he got to the truth. Not because he wants to make me suffer, but because he wants to make me better. Does Herman perhaps not really believe in the love and mercy of God? Pity.
#2
Scott Walker
on
2007-12-19 19:35
If you believe you have a powerful enemy, you cannot conquer him celebrating his past defeats, you need to beat him on his current path.
It would be good to hear what Abp Job has to say about things.
My two cents worth...
It would be good to hear what Abp Job has to say about things.
My two cents worth...
#3
Daniel E. Fall
on
2007-12-19 20:45
"It would be good to hear what Abp Job has to say about things."
Quote: "It's going to get a lot worse before it gets better."
Quote: "It's going to get a lot worse before it gets better."
#3.1
Michael Strelka
on
2007-12-22 07:03
In the words of late Prof. Verhovskoy, Prof. of Ethics at SVS, "Even if a bishop or priest has the appearance of unethical behavior they hurt the Church. It is for the sake of the entire Church that they be returned to the laos." I don't think anyone would want + Herman to be laocized, but step down, stop the endless scandals, let someone else lead and finally move the OCA forward. We can't take more stagnation until next Nov.
#4
Oxi-Moron
on
2007-12-20 06:43
You don't think anyone would want +Herman to be laicized? Think again!
#4.1
Anonymous
on
2007-12-20 15:19
No judgment can be made as to whether he should be laicized or not until we have evidence, but if you were to look at just his actions since the breaking of this scandal and at everything that Mark has written about him and everything he has done to hide the truth and prevent the truth from coming out and put himself first ahead of the Church and his actions to protect himself come hell or high water to the Church, you can definitely conclude his actions are not in the interest of the Church and therefore he has failed as bishop and maybe he needs to be brought down to the rank of simple monk. NO bishop should have behavior as reprehensible as his has been in this scandal and remain a bishop.
The longer this continues the less sympathy he is going to get when it does come to light. His legacy already is one that people will never want to talk about unless its to show what happens when a laity puts too much trust in their bishops to do the right thing. But, as we have said, legacy, faith, Godliness are not things that he's interested in. Keeping out of jail, that's where his fear and his heart is.
The longer this continues the less sympathy he is going to get when it does come to light. His legacy already is one that people will never want to talk about unless its to show what happens when a laity puts too much trust in their bishops to do the right thing. But, as we have said, legacy, faith, Godliness are not things that he's interested in. Keeping out of jail, that's where his fear and his heart is.
#5
Anonymous
on
2007-12-20 08:17
In 2nd Peter, the Apostle talks about how there have always been false prophets, teachers and shepherds who have worked their way into the lives of God's people, and he warns us Christians that we too will suffer from such false leaders. He advises us to be alert to these false leaders who certainly can be recognized by the bad fruit they produce. "And many will follow their licentiousness, and because of them the way of truth will be reviled. And in their greed they will exploit you with false words; from of old their condemnation has not been idle, and their destruction has not been asleep" (2 Peter 2:2-3). It is our duty to be viglant in watching against false leadership and also in discerning what we should when we recognize the danger posed to us.
#6
Fr. Ted Bobosh
on
2007-12-20 18:54
Glory to IC XC!
Likewise, Fr. Ted, the Didache says to "Receive every apostle who comes to you as the Lord" but gives the warning that, upon his leaving, "an apostles must not accept anything beyond bread sufficient to carry him to his next lodging. If he asks for money, he is a false prophet." (Didache 7:4,6)
The more things change...
in XC,
Rev. Bartholomew Wojcik
St. Nicholas Orthodox Mission Church
Pella, IA
Likewise, Fr. Ted, the Didache says to "Receive every apostle who comes to you as the Lord" but gives the warning that, upon his leaving, "an apostles must not accept anything beyond bread sufficient to carry him to his next lodging. If he asks for money, he is a false prophet." (Didache 7:4,6)
The more things change...
in XC,
Rev. Bartholomew Wojcik
St. Nicholas Orthodox Mission Church
Pella, IA
#6.1
Rev. Bartholomew Wojcik
on
2007-12-21 11:53
Oops. My bad. For what it's worth, the Didache quotes are from chapter 11, not chapter 7.
#6.1.1
Rev. Bartholomew Wojcik
on
2007-12-21 17:14
If everything comes together, the only option +Herman may have IS to resign. I think this is what it all boiled down to with Nixon. Otherwise, an impeachment was immanent.
We have a diligent treasurer; there is the continued work of the SIC, the laity continue to speak, through this web site, the "lack of confidence" petition, the continued withholding of monies, and in other ways; also, the OCA is still not bringing in amounts as from before. We also have a new AAC being planned with an agenda still in its nacent formation but which could add much pressure to the existing situation. Also, RSK could still talk.
I think all these angles continue to put pressure on +Herman to resign. I don't think +Herman is quite at that stage yet, but I think it will come down to this. Resigning is not yet the "expedient" way out for him. Once he has more to gain by resigning than by hanging in there, I believe he will resign.
Patty Schellbach
We have a diligent treasurer; there is the continued work of the SIC, the laity continue to speak, through this web site, the "lack of confidence" petition, the continued withholding of monies, and in other ways; also, the OCA is still not bringing in amounts as from before. We also have a new AAC being planned with an agenda still in its nacent formation but which could add much pressure to the existing situation. Also, RSK could still talk.
I think all these angles continue to put pressure on +Herman to resign. I don't think +Herman is quite at that stage yet, but I think it will come down to this. Resigning is not yet the "expedient" way out for him. Once he has more to gain by resigning than by hanging in there, I believe he will resign.
Patty Schellbach
#7
Patty Schellbach
on
2007-12-20 19:00
Patty, you note that RSK could still talk. But I'm beginning to wonder -- there are enough people here who make references to things I know nothing about, and don't understand that I can't help believing that there are many other people who could talk. Is it possible that RSK is the only person who knows what was going on in Syosset? He may be the one who knows everything (if he does). He may be the only one who could, on his own, provide a consistent, documented narrative of the whole sorry mess.
But isn't it likely the case that there are other people, maybe lots of other people, who could each give an accounting of a portion of the mess? People who were there when checks were written, or when checks were cashed, or when money was spent? It seems to me that if each person who knew a small portion of what went on spoke up clearly, not with hints and allusions (mentioning "twinkle toes" or a certain hotel or trips that shouldn't have been taken) but with clear, truthful, forthright, objective statements, there might be enough information that it wouldn't matter whether RSK spoke or not.
If there is indeed a conspiracy of silence, it seems to me that those who actually know anything at all about what happened have a moral obligation, a Christian duty to break the silence, to bring light to the darkness, to let the Church know what they know, to speak the Truth in love.
If you know something, what you have to say might not be pretty. Lancing a boil rarely is. But keeping it hidden away while the Body continues to suffer is simply wrong. It plays into the hands of the Father of Lies, the Prince of Darkness.
We who sit in darkness are waiting for the the Sun of Righteousness to be born into the world. Celebrate his birth with the light of Truth. You don't have to be RSK to speak.
But isn't it likely the case that there are other people, maybe lots of other people, who could each give an accounting of a portion of the mess? People who were there when checks were written, or when checks were cashed, or when money was spent? It seems to me that if each person who knew a small portion of what went on spoke up clearly, not with hints and allusions (mentioning "twinkle toes" or a certain hotel or trips that shouldn't have been taken) but with clear, truthful, forthright, objective statements, there might be enough information that it wouldn't matter whether RSK spoke or not.
If there is indeed a conspiracy of silence, it seems to me that those who actually know anything at all about what happened have a moral obligation, a Christian duty to break the silence, to bring light to the darkness, to let the Church know what they know, to speak the Truth in love.
If you know something, what you have to say might not be pretty. Lancing a boil rarely is. But keeping it hidden away while the Body continues to suffer is simply wrong. It plays into the hands of the Father of Lies, the Prince of Darkness.
We who sit in darkness are waiting for the the Sun of Righteousness to be born into the world. Celebrate his birth with the light of Truth. You don't have to be RSK to speak.
#7.1
Josephine
on
2007-12-21 08:12
Ten years ago I became Orthodox after leaving a church which had become morally bankrupt. Were I at the present time looking for a new refuge, the situation in the OCA would scare me off, as it probably has scared off many prospective converts.
When my pledge is paid off next June, the OCA has seen the last penny from me.
The only thing that will change my mind is a confession from all who profited from the fraud, and a promise on the part of each to make some restitution.
I can and will support my church in a manner which will exclude the OCA.
Randolph H. La Croix
Sub Deacon
Orthodox Cathedral of Christ the Saviour
Miami Lakes Florida
When my pledge is paid off next June, the OCA has seen the last penny from me.
The only thing that will change my mind is a confession from all who profited from the fraud, and a promise on the part of each to make some restitution.
I can and will support my church in a manner which will exclude the OCA.
Randolph H. La Croix
Sub Deacon
Orthodox Cathedral of Christ the Saviour
Miami Lakes Florida
#8
Randolph H. La Croix
on
2007-12-20 19:56
Randy:
Putting it all in perspective, this OCA scandal is not unusual for any church nor is it the biggest. The RC's are still roiling in their mess; the Anglicans; etc. The Greeks had a series of issues including billion dollar property messes. Every Orthodox jurisdiction in America has suffered their issues. So, converts who have issues about joining the Orthodox Church because of the OCA mess, should stay where they are. Our faith isn't defined by mere mortal weaknesses. As far as scandals are concerned, collectively the Orthodox have had thousands. Human weakness is what Christ came to repair and raise up. This cleansing process being undertaken in the OCA is normal and will make the OCA stronger. It will take 5 years, but it will be a stronger church which will allow priests, bishops and lay people to truly act together with numeral checks and balances. Finances strongly controlled; priests and bishops held accountable for their actions; a strong trust and respect in the church in general. Remember, the OCA is only 37 years old and is really a young church. Growing pains can be a good thing.
Putting it all in perspective, this OCA scandal is not unusual for any church nor is it the biggest. The RC's are still roiling in their mess; the Anglicans; etc. The Greeks had a series of issues including billion dollar property messes. Every Orthodox jurisdiction in America has suffered their issues. So, converts who have issues about joining the Orthodox Church because of the OCA mess, should stay where they are. Our faith isn't defined by mere mortal weaknesses. As far as scandals are concerned, collectively the Orthodox have had thousands. Human weakness is what Christ came to repair and raise up. This cleansing process being undertaken in the OCA is normal and will make the OCA stronger. It will take 5 years, but it will be a stronger church which will allow priests, bishops and lay people to truly act together with numeral checks and balances. Finances strongly controlled; priests and bishops held accountable for their actions; a strong trust and respect in the church in general. Remember, the OCA is only 37 years old and is really a young church. Growing pains can be a good thing.
#8.1
Parou-Seeya
on
2007-12-21 06:43
Very well said.
#8.1.1
Paula Brkich
on
2007-12-27 13:46
Mark,
Because I am a dumb hunky, could you please explain who Monk James/Fr.Silver is. What are his credentials? His affliation? Is he a OCA priest, monk, or the alter ego of someone else. Just who is this person. Was he a part of the inner sanctum? I thought monks where supposed to pray. I am confused.
Dave Rudovsky
(Editor's note: Monk James Silver is the real name of a real person living in New Jersey. He is a tonsured monk, although he does not live in a monastery. He has been a member of the OCA for decades, and a self-described "volunteer" at Syosset for many, helping in the archives among other things.
He has, for the past two years been a vociferous defender of Robert Kondratick, never wavering in his defense that Kondratick is innocent. I have identified him on several ocassions as a "spokesperson" for Kondratick, for the first news we have of the Kondratick camp often comes from monk James; the first "threats" also come from him. That he is a close associate is not in question, given that he accompanied Kondratick to Syosset for his trial and appeal, and claims to have worked on his defense.
Hope this helps. )
Because I am a dumb hunky, could you please explain who Monk James/Fr.Silver is. What are his credentials? His affliation? Is he a OCA priest, monk, or the alter ego of someone else. Just who is this person. Was he a part of the inner sanctum? I thought monks where supposed to pray. I am confused.
Dave Rudovsky
(Editor's note: Monk James Silver is the real name of a real person living in New Jersey. He is a tonsured monk, although he does not live in a monastery. He has been a member of the OCA for decades, and a self-described "volunteer" at Syosset for many, helping in the archives among other things.
He has, for the past two years been a vociferous defender of Robert Kondratick, never wavering in his defense that Kondratick is innocent. I have identified him on several ocassions as a "spokesperson" for Kondratick, for the first news we have of the Kondratick camp often comes from monk James; the first "threats" also come from him. That he is a close associate is not in question, given that he accompanied Kondratick to Syosset for his trial and appeal, and claims to have worked on his defense.
Hope this helps. )
#9
Dave
on
2007-12-21 05:44
And so we have it. This might as well be the piece that is used to describe the legacy of those great, Godly men, the Metropolitan and his Synod. And it is "his" Synod. He says roll over and they roll over. He says screw whoever needs to be screwed and they screw 'em.
And still, there are others who feel we need to send in money to keep the serpent fed.
And still, there are others who feel we need to send in money to keep the serpent fed.
#10
Anonymous
on
2007-12-21 07:04
Having seen the latest news regarding the Jerusalem Patriarchate (http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?c=JPArticle&cid=1196847383560&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull)
I have a fear that even if the OCA properly deposes Metropolitan Herman, he will fight it as former Patriarch Irineos did and this could be dragged out for years. In fact, with the former priest Kondratick contesting his deposition, I fear the OCA could be facing litigation for a long time.
When the day comes and the OCA relieves Metropolitan Herman of his job as primate, will he maybe declare the True Orthodox Church in America? Or will he appeal to Patriarch Alexii? Somehow I think the only smiling at the end will be the Ecumenical Patriarch.
I have a fear that even if the OCA properly deposes Metropolitan Herman, he will fight it as former Patriarch Irineos did and this could be dragged out for years. In fact, with the former priest Kondratick contesting his deposition, I fear the OCA could be facing litigation for a long time.
When the day comes and the OCA relieves Metropolitan Herman of his job as primate, will he maybe declare the True Orthodox Church in America? Or will he appeal to Patriarch Alexii? Somehow I think the only smiling at the end will be the Ecumenical Patriarch.
#11
Reader Nicholas Bailey
on
2007-12-21 08:15
The scandal seems to involve, not only money but also abuse of power. As to the money, we are talking about roughly between 7.8 million and 8.4 million dollar since 1998 that have gone missing "just like that". Did Robert Kondratik dispose of all of this money himself?
I seriously doubt it. He would have a lot more to show for it if he had. There are only so many ermine-lined rassas he could wear. Palatial estates, Rolls Royces seem to be in scarce supply. So, where did it all go? Apart from the few hundreds of thousands of dollars that Bob K may have retained for "services rendered" there remains the question of what happened to the other 7+ million dollars , gone missing since 1998. The current administration along with that of Met. Theodosius must answer for this . If, as Monk James asserts, (and as many laypeople believe) there have been chronic moral shortcomings among the hierarchy , then this needs to be addressed, so that our church may heal.
If Met. Herman thinks he is saving the church from such a disgrace, he should think again. Nothing could be worse than the Golgotha that the OCA is currently undergoing.
I seriously doubt it. He would have a lot more to show for it if he had. There are only so many ermine-lined rassas he could wear. Palatial estates, Rolls Royces seem to be in scarce supply. So, where did it all go? Apart from the few hundreds of thousands of dollars that Bob K may have retained for "services rendered" there remains the question of what happened to the other 7+ million dollars , gone missing since 1998. The current administration along with that of Met. Theodosius must answer for this . If, as Monk James asserts, (and as many laypeople believe) there have been chronic moral shortcomings among the hierarchy , then this needs to be addressed, so that our church may heal.
If Met. Herman thinks he is saving the church from such a disgrace, he should think again. Nothing could be worse than the Golgotha that the OCA is currently undergoing.
#12
Antonio Arganda
on
2007-12-21 13:04
I'm sorry, but we can talk all we like and so can the heirarchs. Where are the formal charges? A US Citizen stole many millions of dollars. That is illegal even when we would love to keep it under a cassok somewhere.
Where are the feds? Why is this not being pursued? How do we go about staring it?
I heard a news story about a Roman Catholic preist on the radio yesterday. He stole just under one million dollars from a local high school and was using the money as hush money and drug money. One of the children that he had molested committed suicide a year ago (he had been paid off 50K to keep quiet...and now he is dead). Anyway, the Philadelphia DA's office is pursing it (only for the stolen funds...at the moment) and it was only 1 Mililon. Its a frightningly familiar sounding story, if you'd like to read about it: http://www.kyw1060.com/pages/1368813.php
Money was stolen. That is ILLEGAL. And if it was for hush money, as go the rumors, let them all come clean in a public investigation. We have been dragged through the mud already. The only way for we lay people to protect the Church is to force the hands of the heirarchs legally.
Its time for the light of democratic justice to shine in the dark corners of this mess. Then maybe the Light can re-enter our sacred church.
Where are the feds? Why is this not being pursued? How do we go about staring it?
I heard a news story about a Roman Catholic preist on the radio yesterday. He stole just under one million dollars from a local high school and was using the money as hush money and drug money. One of the children that he had molested committed suicide a year ago (he had been paid off 50K to keep quiet...and now he is dead). Anyway, the Philadelphia DA's office is pursing it (only for the stolen funds...at the moment) and it was only 1 Mililon. Its a frightningly familiar sounding story, if you'd like to read about it: http://www.kyw1060.com/pages/1368813.php
Money was stolen. That is ILLEGAL. And if it was for hush money, as go the rumors, let them all come clean in a public investigation. We have been dragged through the mud already. The only way for we lay people to protect the Church is to force the hands of the heirarchs legally.
Its time for the light of democratic justice to shine in the dark corners of this mess. Then maybe the Light can re-enter our sacred church.
#13
Anon
on
2007-12-21 13:20
Ten years ago I became Orthodox after leaving a church which had become morally bankrupt. Were I at the present time looking for a new refuge, the situation in the OCA would scare me off, as it probably has scared off many prospective converts.
I am looking very closely at Orthodoxy as a potential convert, and as a man that does not jump in to unstable situations, I am a bit leery. Fortunately, I live in Fr. Ted Bobosh's Parish. Fr. Ted will be getting a call from me soon. He and Fr. Bartholmew and a lot of clergy like them give me great hope.
Christopher
I am looking very closely at Orthodoxy as a potential convert, and as a man that does not jump in to unstable situations, I am a bit leery. Fortunately, I live in Fr. Ted Bobosh's Parish. Fr. Ted will be getting a call from me soon. He and Fr. Bartholmew and a lot of clergy like them give me great hope.
Christopher
#14
Christopher
on
2007-12-21 18:07
The author does not allow comments to this entry
Calendar
|
May '13 | |||||
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun |
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | ||
| 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 |
| 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 |
| 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 |
| 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | ||