It's pretty surprising to see the laity trying to put an age limit on their clergy. Benefits cost containment? A check on "power" from long service? A benign thought that garnered this extraordinary response?
(GOARCH) - July 8, 2020 - Communique of the Holy Eparchial SynodThe Holy Eparchial Synod met today in an extraordinary video conference at the invitation of His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros with an exclusive objective to discuss the recent public debate on an official proposal to change the pension program of the Hierarchs.Following a discussion, it is stated that in accordance with the Sacred Canons of the Orthodox Church, there is no age limit for the exercise of the duties of Hierarchs. The retirement from active ministry (or not) of an individual Hierarch is entrusted exclusively to the individual choice and sole judgment of said Hierarch. Furthermore, it is noted that within the Ecumenical Patriarchate, no such age limits are applied.In conclusion, the Holy Eparchial Synod rejects the current proposal in the form of the draft resolution for the upcoming Clergy-Laity Congress of 2020, inasmuch as such a proposal is beyond the capacity of the Clergy-Laity Congress, which is unable to decide in matters dogmatic and canonical.The Hierarchs of the Holy Archdiocese minister to the People of God in the spirit of self-sacrifice, love and devotion, dedicating their whole life in service to the Church.From the Chief Secretariat of the Holy Eparchial Synod.
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I believe all Roman Catholic bishops must retire at age seventy five,,,they send a letter of intent to the pope who may or may not accept it.....sounds sound and rational to me,,,,we have too many past their prime ,,,retired status is not exile status ,,just look at how retired bishop basil listen handles it
ReplyDeleteIt's about the same in the Moscow Patriarchate (not sure if the age is the same but they have the same system)
DeleteIf I remember correctly, 75 is the age when hierarchs in the Moscow Patriarchate *request* to retire, but it is often a formality and the Synod blesses them to continue serving.
Deleteso it's just like in the Vatican
DeleteFrom what I understand it wasn’t initiated by the laity but rather those in the NY headquarters along with some archons.
ReplyDeleteAccording to Orthochristian.com, this was being pushed aggressively by Fr Alexander Karloutsos at headquarters. His statement promoting it was a remarkable attempt to blame all of the GOA's problems on now-retired Abp Demetrios. It looks to me as if the proposal was an attempt to weaken the Metropolitans and consolidate power around the Archbishop.
ReplyDeleteIncidentally, Patriarch Bartholomew is 80 years old.
So is there an implication that black bart is past his prime?,, There are those among us that believe that happened when he hit 39. There needs to be criteria and oversight so that sanctified bretheren political influences are minimized. This is imperative for the good of all
ReplyDeleteThe implication was that Pat Bartholomew might not be a backer of the forced-retirement proposal.
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ReplyDeleteBecause age limits work so well in my own church (Catholic) why not do it in Orthodoxy?
ReplyDeleteNo seriously, learn from others'mistakes too.
It's very easy for the hatted ones to make decisions, I wonder where they get their cash? Could that source possibly dry up suddenly?
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