Posted by from OCANEWS Link: click here to read the original story
on 6/20/2009, 10:44 am
SYNOD OF ANTIOCH RELEASES STATEMENT REGARDING FEBRUARY 24th
"The Holy Synod of the See of Antioch,
after long discussion and deep deliberation of the Synodal decision of February 24, 2009,
and with the recommendations of His Beatitude, the Patriarch, it affirms that the nature of the Episcopate is one and the same to all those who are consecrated as bishops,
The Holy Synod of Antioch affirms and reminds that all bishops of the Antiochian Archdiocese of North America are bishops who assist the Metropolitan,
And that, furthermore, any diocese of the one united Archdiocese, under any circumstances, cannot be considered independent Archdiocese. The Holy Synod of Antioch alone has the prerogative to establish Archdioceses in the See of Antioch.
Issued June,17, 2009"
Unfortunately, according to multiple sources present at the Damascus meeting, an attempt was made by supporters of Metropolitan Philip, who was not present, to alter the careful and intentional wording of this decision. According to reports emanating from Damascus it is fully expected that these same forces will now attempt to alter the text of the official version and distribute "corrected" English versions as widely as possible to support their interpretation of the decision - much as occurred with respect to the Archdiocesan Constitution. The key point is that the translation specifically uses the phrase "bishops who assist the Metropolitan" rather than the term "auxiliaries" as sought by others.
A link to the Arabic original may be found here.
-Mark Stokoe
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