DiscussWorldIssues - Socio-Economic Religion and Political Uncensored Debate - View Single Post - Antiochian Patriarchate reorganizes North American Archdiocese

**farmarrl** · 03-19-2009, 12:57 PM

Dear Paul,

"It is not blind obedience we are told to endure, but until WE the laity have the full picture, yes, we need to do as they are telling us."

This is where it gets sticky. Unless we ask, and respectfully insist, will we be informed? Furthermore, some seem to suggest http://ocanews.org/GabrielandResponse3.16.09.html that we simply need to obey, and to ask the hard questions is to lack charity and humility.

That sort of approach may have worked during the Ottoman dynasty, even with all the best intentions, but it doesn't work well in North America ANNO 2009. Quite frankly it smells, given the recent happenings.

We are asking for transparency, honest and forthrightness here. We don't need the dirty scoop on this bishop or that (no names please), but want to know the justification(s) behind such a sudden and drastic change affecting our communities. Is that too much to ask? Are we now lacking charity and humility?

In the big scheme of things (and the small of them too), I am a nobody. Frankly, I don't think it is much of our business as laymen on the structure of church heirarchy. Laymen are important though in watching over heresies by our heirarchs. I don't think current political buzzwords like transparency, honesty, and forthrightness; though desirable, are demandable or even askable of the church. I think this is 21st century "I have to know everything" thinking.

The only times I can recall in the lives of the saints when the people stood up and refused to accept church leadership is when it was attached to heretical heirarchs. That is not the case at this time. Perhaps it will be as things unfold, or perhaps not. Does not each archdiocese, diocese, parish have a council or board of directors that overlook their clergy on our behalf? When these governing boards raise the red flag, then we have a responsibility to get more involved.

At this time, from what I do or don't know, nothing heretical has happened. Therefore we have little to say about it. I am responsible for my salvation in my parish. When my priest starts saying things out of line based on what his bishop has told him to do, then we must pounce and say "hey, wait a minute". But until that happens, I don't care as a parishoner, if I have a Bishop or an auxilary bishop as my priest's guide. He is dividing the word of truth for us just as his "boss" is.

My company is restructuring. Nobody likes it in my office, but no ones job has changed, none of our benefits have been cut, no one has gotten fired, management is just realigning themsleves to be more efficient. Should we ask less of our eccleiastical officers?

Paul

03-19-2009, 12:57 PM	#37
farmarrl Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 513 Senior Member	Dear Paul, "It is not blind obedience we are told to endure, but until WE the laity have the full picture, yes, we need to do as they are telling us." This is where it gets sticky. Unless we ask, and respectfully insist, will we be informed? Furthermore, some seem to suggest http://ocanews.org/GabrielandResponse3.16.09.html that we simply need to obey, and to ask the hard questions is to lack charity and humility. That sort of approach may have worked during the Ottoman dynasty, even with all the best intentions, but it doesn't work well in North America ANNO 2009. Quite frankly it smells, given the recent happenings. We are asking for transparency, honest and forthrightness here. We don't need the dirty scoop on this bishop or that (no names please), but want to know the justification(s) behind such a sudden and drastic change affecting our communities. Is that too much to ask? Are we now lacking charity and humility? In the big scheme of things (and the small of them too), I am a nobody. Frankly, I don't think it is much of our business as laymen on the structure of church heirarchy. Laymen are important though in watching over heresies by our heirarchs. I don't think current political buzzwords like transparency, honesty, and forthrightness; though desirable, are demandable or even askable of the church. I think this is 21st century "I have to know everything" thinking. The only times I can recall in the lives of the saints when the people stood up and refused to accept church leadership is when it was attached to heretical heirarchs. That is not the case at this time. Perhaps it will be as things unfold, or perhaps not. Does not each archdiocese, diocese, parish have a council or board of directors that overlook their clergy on our behalf? When these governing boards raise the red flag, then we have a responsibility to get more involved. At this time, from what I do or don't know, nothing heretical has happened. Therefore we have little to say about it. I am responsible for my salvation in my parish. When my priest starts saying things out of line based on what his bishop has told him to do, then we must pounce and say "hey, wait a minute". But until that happens, I don't care as a parishoner, if I have a Bishop or an auxilary bishop as my priest's guide. He is dividing the word of truth for us just as his "boss" is. My company is restructuring. Nobody likes it in my office, but no ones job has changed, none of our benefits have been cut, no one has gotten fired, management is just realigning themsleves to be more efficient. Should we ask less of our eccleiastical officers? Paul
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