Antiochian Orthodox call for end of overlapping episcopates
The entire document is here.
Problem:
Current overlapping jurisdictions is "uncanonical" and an obvious heresy of "phyletism (ethnicism)". It also states that the term "diaspora" is untrue; the churches are an "Episcopal Assembly" that will one day be a "General Synod of Bishops". 42 years of discussion are long enough. It is time to act as it is cried out for by North America.
Solution:
They say basically that they want the Orthodox jurisdictions to meet within the next six months (that's quite a short time line) to come up with "concrete" plans, ask for the Ecumenical Patriarch to convene a meeting of all the North American Mother Churches so that they can discuss their situation, and that there should be a standing body with representatives from each church to meet twice a year to speak with one voice on the issues of the day.
Problem:
Current overlapping jurisdictions is "uncanonical" and an obvious heresy of "phyletism (ethnicism)". It also states that the term "diaspora" is untrue; the churches are an "Episcopal Assembly" that will one day be a "General Synod of Bishops". 42 years of discussion are long enough. It is time to act as it is cried out for by North America.
Solution:
They say basically that they want the Orthodox jurisdictions to meet within the next six months (that's quite a short time line) to come up with "concrete" plans, ask for the Ecumenical Patriarch to convene a meeting of all the North American Mother Churches so that they can discuss their situation, and that there should be a standing body with representatives from each church to meet twice a year to speak with one voice on the issues of the day.
And what does the OCA think about this?
ReplyDeleteI'd assume that they'd think this is just another power grab by the Antiochian church as a means to establishing a patriarchate. That's the only response I've heard so far. I can hope for a considered answer from the other bodies leading to some more unified front than SCOBA provides.
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