11.05.09
Trying to understand context for proposed unity of American Orthodox Churches
Oca.org has posted this summary of Metropolitan Jonah’s talk at “the “Road to Unity” conference sponsored by Orthodox Christian Laity [OCL] at Antiochian Village here Thursday, October 29 through Saturday, October 31.”
In it he details a structure that unified jurisdictions could use to come together while respecting the differences in the different communities. SCOBA apparently is ineffective because it isn’t a “canonical entity” and its members are not elected, which apparently Americans must do to be able to respect their own leaders.This is an interesting cultural aside that I’d like to hear more discussion on.
I wonder if his recommendations could provide a conciliar basis for unifying practice among American jurisdictions. Hopefully any substandard practices could be looked at and gently healed instead of giving them an opportunity to cause infection throughout the whole. Perhaps though, if Churches are legtitimized through being local (I only have a vague concept of what “local church” means), which has historically been along national lines, the American Church is already One, even if our Bishop situation is a bit messy and some feel more bonded to their respective bishops in the “old country”. Therefore any deficiencies in practice would already be affecting the local body, whether they are under the same bishop or not.
Also in the summary, Metropolitan Jonah gives interesting homage to the Ecumencial Patriarch.
George Patsourakos said,
November 6, 2009 at 2:36 pm
Hierarchs of the nine major Orthodox jurisdictions in America need to meet to establish a united American Orthodox Church. They need to “break away” from their motherland patriarchs and the Patriarch of Constantinople, because these patriarchs are not willing to relinquish their power to oversee and control these American jurisdictions.
These American Orthodox hierarchs need to draw up a constitution or bylaws that will make a united American Orthodox Church a reality — and not just a dream, as it has been for the past half-century.
Andrea Elizabeth said,
November 6, 2009 at 10:26 pm
I don’t know about the motives overseas, but regardless, our situation isn’t the way it should be.