Posted by Tamara Northway on 4/19/2008, 12:15 pm, in reply to "Philippine/Antiochian donations"
Message modified by user Tamara Northway 4/19/2008, 12:17 pm
Hey Leo,
This message below is unrelated to sending donations to Australia for the new Philippine diocese but it was written to dissuade controversy (another forum) on the part of EP supporters who were upset that the Antiochians took in this large group from the Philippines even though the EP had already established a mission in Manila. I guess the story is more complicated but it appears that the two patriarchates are working together. Still it is odd that working together means that the country now has two overlapping jurisdictions. And these new Orthodox Christians are going to need a bishop so who will supply one? Will the two patriarchates work together on that issue? I guess time will tell.
Tamara
What is happening in the Philippines is great news of the Holy Spirit's actions, so it is a little disappointing that some people jump to conclusions without even finding out the facts first. What happened to Orthodox charity and "believing the best"?
The facts are that the negotiations between the EP and Met. Paul and Antioch have been long and far more complex than stated here. Secondly there is a very cordial working agreement, not animosity as suggested here at times. Thirdly, in no canonical sense have non_Orthodox been made "vicars", however, that term has been used out of respect for current evangelical leaders position.
Fourthly, while everyone is aware of the problem of the overlapping of jurisdictions (we have it here in Australia too), Antioch (and the EP) work pragmatically *now* despite this, while working to resolve this uncanonical situation in the *future*.
Fifthly, the services have been modified to make them Orthodox. Antioch has always had a broader range of services than some other jurisdictions. Really, assuming that a bishop would overlook this is a sad reflection on lay distrust of bishops.
People should not read bad motives, uncanonical intent nor unOrthodox actions into anything that has happened.
Next time you want to know things, please do not post such questions on the internet- ask Met. Paul first, then this will save many wasted hours of passing around uninformed opinion and sheer gossip. Gossip is not Orthodox. Those who asked genuine questions without gossip should also email Met. Paul or whoever in future. Otherwise you can just add to speculation and feed the argumentative types :-(
in Christ,
Fr. John D'Alton, Antiochian Orthodox, Australia,
writing as a priest, not in any official capacity for the archdiocese.
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