St. Andrew House Discussion Forum
[ Post a Response | St. Andrew House Discussion Forum ]

"We have concluded that when the principle of racial division (i.e. phyletism) is juxtaposed with the teaching of the Gospel and the constant practice of the Church, it is not only foreign to it, but also completely opposed, to it. We decree the following in the Holy Spirit: 1. We reject and condemn racial division, that is, racial differences, national quarrels and disagreements in the Church of Christ, as being contrary to the teaching of the Gospel and the holy canons of our blessed fathers, on which the holy Church is established and which adorn human society and lead it to Divine piety. 2. In accordance with the holy canons, we proclaim that those who accept such division according to races and who dare to base on it hitherto unheard-of racial assemblies are foreign to the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church and are real schismatics." Constantinople...1872 * Pray and Work for Orthodox Unity in North America!!! * St. Andrew House announces Agreement to fund Orthodox Unity effort for years to come - see www.orthodoxdetroit.com * Welcome to the St. Andrew House Discussion Forum * Coming Soon - Orthodox Business Directory * Visit our Home Page at www.orthodoxdetroit.com

    Re: Discretion and denial cannot overcome demographics.

    Posted by George D. Karcazes Email (George D Karcazes) on 4/3/2008, 2:11 pm, in reply to "Re: Discretion and denial cannot overcome demographics."

    Harry,

    Let's see if I got this straight:

    A. The goal is to have enough bishops so that they each have smaller territories to oversee, so that they will all "recognize the faces of the priest's family" as well as "their spouses and parents".

    B. At least since 1950 there have not been enough eligible, let alone worthy candidates to accomplish this.

    C. [according to another poster] Elevating qualified married priests to bishops is not a solution because their frequent travels would place too great a burden on their families.

    So, we have a problem with no solution wherein you "don't see much in the way of anything good coming from folk calling for anything at all, no matter how correct, or for how long."

    Let me offer the following thoughts:

    1. If all of the Orthodox in North America were administratively united under a single synod of canonical bishops it is at least possible to reallign boundaries of dioceses so that the territories each bishop would have to oversee would be less "imperial sized". Among the other benefits of Unity there might also be an overall increase in the numbers of available and qualified candidates, as well as at least the possibility of formulating better, uniform and transparent screening methods.

    2. If the territories assigned to each bishop were smaller, the bishops would be closer to their parishes, they would know who their priest's families are, recognize their children, spouses and parents and have less need to travel, so that at least one objection to having married bishops would be overcome.

    I offer these thoughts in an attempt to light a candle rather than simply cursing the darkness.

    It seems to me that working for Orthodox Unity and for transparency and accountability in Church governance is better than just complaining about the "system". Those who want to be part of the solution can join OCL by going to ocl.org.

    Regards,
    George


    Responses:

* Pray and Work for Orthodox Unity in North America!!! * St. Andrew House announces Agreement to fund Orthodox Unity effort for years to come - see www.orthodoxdetroit.com * Welcome to the St. Andrew House Discussion Forum * Coming Soon - Orthodox Business Directory * Visit our Home Page at www.orthodoxdetroit.com