This post is a little complicated. It's three parts that I did a bit of formatting to make more clear. The first part is the narrative for what the Greek's advisory council is asking for, the second section is their official resolution, and the third section is the actual letter they sent the Ecumenical Patriarch.
For as much as my opinion counts, Constantinople has had this replacement plan for Abp. Demetrios in the works for years. I don't see the Holy Synod slowing down for what the Archdiocesan Council has to say. At this speed is a locum tenens even necessary separate from the man chosen in a few hours?
ATLANTA (GOARCH) – The Archdiocesan Council of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, which is meeting for its regular Spring meeting in Atlanta, May 9-10, 2019, received yesterday a request from the Ecumenical Patriarchate asking for the Council’s opinion according to article 13 of the Charter to be submitted today by 2:00 p.m. EDT.
After consideration, the Executive Committee and the Archdiocesan Council as a body considered the matter, drafted, unanimously approved and sent to the Ecumenical Patriarchate the letter that follows.
Similarly, the Archdiocesan Council supported a lengthy resolution of similar substance unanimously passed by the Administration Committee.
Relative Regulations and Charter Articles to the Election of Archbishop
RESOLUTION OF THE ARCHDIOCESAN COUNCIL
ATLANTA, MAY 10, 2019
WHEREAS: We recognize the exclusive privilege and canonical right of our beloved Holy and Sacred Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate to elect the next Archbishop of America;
WHEREAS: We, her faithful children in the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, are grateful to our Mother Church for its wisdom in granting us an Archdiocesan Charter, and approving Archdiocesan Regulations, that provide to our beloved Holy Eparchial Synod and to the Archdiocesan Council a specific, meaningful and substantive advisory role in the election of the Archbishop of America;
WHEREAS: We wholeheartedly share the trust that the Ecumenical Patriarchate has placed in our Holy Eparchial Synod, the members of which have lovingly and devotedly cared for our Church in America under the guidance of His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew;
WHEREAS: The many decades of collective wisdom, experience and dedication of the Metropolitans of our Holy Eparchial Synod, in shepherding their flocks through the unique challenges facing the Church in America, and the increasingly secular society and culture of the United States, cannot be overstated;
WHEREAS, we the members of the Archdiocesan Council are and know our Holy Eparchial Synod to be totally committed to the sacred bonds we share with our Ecumenical Patriarchate, and, also to the preservation of unity within the Archdiocese;
WHEREAS, our Holy Eparchial Synod and the Archdiocesan Council are required, via the process set forth in the Archdiocesan Charter and Regulations, to provide an advisory opinion with respect to the list of no fewer than five (5) candidates to be presented to the Ecumenical Patriarchate for consideration;
WHEREAS, we have been informed on May 9, 2019 that the Ecumenical Patriarchate has afforded us, only until 2:00 p.m. Eastern time on May 10, 2019, to commence and complete the Advisory Process, a time frame that makes it impossible for us to fulfill our responsibilities to the Holy Eparchial Synod and Ecumenical Patriarchate.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED: That we, the members of the Archdiocesan Council, stand ready to complete, with appropriate speed and diligence, the fulfillment of the advisory consultation process required by the Archdiocesan Charter and Regulations (the “Advisory Process”) and ask for a reasonable time period of thirty (30) days to complete such process diligently, with prayer and thoughtfulness;
FURTHER RESOLVED: That, in accordance with the Charter, the most senior member of our Holy Eparchial Synod, Metropolitan Methodios of Boston, be designated by the Ecumenical Patriarchate to serve as locum tenens until the completion of the Advisory Process and subsequent election.
FURTHER RESOLVED: That we humbly beseech the Holy and Sacred Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate to give every consideration to the list of no fewer than five (5) candidates that will be ultimately be provided, after the Advisory Process is completed and presented to the Ecumenical Patriarchate as required by the Archdiocesan Charter and Regulations; and
FURTHER RESOLVED: That we further ask the Holy and Sacred Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate to give every consideration to the esteemed and beloved members of our Holy Eparchial Synod, who have proven themselves worthy of the honor, as candidates for election to the position of Archbishop of America.
We pray that the Grace of the Holy Spirit be with the Ecumenical Patriarchate as it fulfills its awesome task.
May 9, 2019
His All Holiness
Archbishop of Constantinople
New Rome and Ecumenical Patriarch
BARTHOLOMEW
At the Phanar
Your All Holiness,
Christ is Risen!
We extend to you our love and greetings in the name of our Risen Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
We recognize the exclusive privilege and canonical right of our beloved Holy and Sacred Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate to elect the next Archbishop of America and pray that the Grace of the Holy Spirit guide you in that election. The layperson members of the Council’s Executive Committee have asked us to humbly submit this letter.
First, we express our gratitude to our Mother Church for its wisdom in granting the Church in America an Archdiocesan Charter, and approving Archdiocesan Regulations, that provide our beloved Holy Eparchial Synod and the Archdiocesan Council with a specific, meaningful and substantive advisory role in the election of the Archbishop of America.
To our surprise and concern, we were informed today, May 9, 2019, that the Ecumenical Patriarchate has afforded the Archdiocese only until 2:00 p.m. Eastern time tomorrow, May 10, to commence and complete the advisory process required by the Archdiocesan Charter and Regulations--a time frame that makes it impossible for us to complete this task. We stand ready to complete the required advisory process, with appropriate speed and diligence, should we be permitted a reasonable time period of at least thirty (30) days to conduct the process. In the interim, we respectfully ask that, in accordance with the Charter, the most senior member of our Holy Eparchial Synod, Metropolitan Methodios of Boston, be designated by the Ecumenical Patriarchate to serve as locum tenens, until the completion of a meaningful advisory process and subsequent election.
In the meanwhile, we respectfully ask the Holy and Sacred Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate to give every possible consideration, for election to the office of Archbishop of America, a member of our esteemed and beloved Holy Eparchial Synod.
We pray that the election decision will serve to strengthen the sacred bond between our Holy Ecumenical Patriarchate and the Church in America and promote and preserve the unity and order of our Holy Archdiocese.
With deepest respect and love,
Your servants in the Risen Christ
George Tsandikos, Vice President
Catherine Bouffides Walsh, Secretary
Elaine Allen, Treasurer
Dimitrios Moschos, Former President
Constantine Caras, Administration Committee Chair
Posts
https://www.romfea.news/metropolitan-elpidoforos-of-bursa-is-the-new-archbishop-of-america/
ReplyDeleteSynod? What Synod?