NOV. 2005 WORD FINAL - Iglesia Ortodoxa

Archdiocese Board members at the General Assembly
The North American Orthodox Lutheran Dialogue between representatives
of SCOBA and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in
America (ELCA) has not met for two years. At this time it is apparent
that the Lutherans have no desire for further discussions. Last
year, they told the Orthodox that they did not have time to prepare
for a meeting of the dialogue. This year, the Ecumenical Commission
of the ELCA has sent the Orthodox a notice informing us that the dialogue
has been suspended.
An example of the radical differences between Orthodoxy and the
ELCA concerns abortion. Orthodox Christians believe that abortion
is a major sin. For this and other reasons, it is apparent that there is
no realistic expectation that future dialogue with the ELCA should
the Lutherans decide to meet, which is doubtful, will reach agreements
that would provide for close relations between Orthodoxy and
the ELCA. A more realistic approach to discussions with representatives
of the Lutheran tradition may be to seek dialogue with the
Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, which has taken positions on
issues that are in agreement with the teachings of the Orthodox
Church.
Christian Churches Together (CTT)
Our delegate to this fellowship, in the process of formation, is
Archpriest Michel Najim of Los Angeles. You are referred to the
report of this body at the last Archdiocese Convention, Brooklyn,
New York, June 3-5, 2005.
Standing Conference of Orthodox Bishops (SCOBA)
Our representatives are Metropolitan PHILIP, Archpriest Paul
Schneirla, and Chancellor Charles Ajalat.
2005 is the 40th Anniversary of the Standing Conference. Father
Paul Schneirla is the surviving member of the organizing body which
was founded under the inspiration and leadership of Metropolitan
Antony Bashir with support of Greek Orthodox Archbishop Iakovos.
Considering the still persistent ethnicity of American Orthodoxy, the
SCOBA continues as a center of unity and conversation for the
American Orthodox Churches. As described by the late Metropolitan
Antony, “it is the achievement of the possible.”
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In concluding this report, I must tell you that, after serving our
Archdiocese in the capacity of Ecumenical Officer for over half a century,
late this winter I told Metropolitan PHILIP I wished to retire as
12 The Word
Chairman of the Department.
Compared with the ecumenical programs of other Christian bodies
in America, ours has been a modest effort. It has, however, fulfilled
the desire of its founder: “Let our fellow Christians know we
exist.”
My deepest thanks to the many persons, priests and laity, who
have carried this ministry forward, largely as volunteers, through the
years.
I would especially like to mention Fr. Olof who appears to have
been born an ecumenist; Drs. Haddad and Brown; Fr. Morris; as well
as all those who served so effectively and willingly. And eternal memory
to those who have already transcended ecumenical barriers.
Respectfully submitted,
Father Paul Schneirla
Fr. Scott indicated that the Commission had recently concluded
that it was time for the Antiochian Archdiocese to withdraw
from the National Council of Churches, due to the NCC’s consistent
drift away from the foundations of historic Christianity. The
Commission will now focus its efforts in the area of inter-
Orthodox relations. The assembly endorsed this decision resoundingly.
Moved by FR. EDWARD HUGHES of Lawrence, MA, seconded by FR.
JASON DEL VITTO of Bridgeville, PA, the report was received.
8/6. In FR. PAUL SCHNEIRLA’S absence, FR. EDWARD
HUGHES presented the report of the Western Rite Vicariate.
REPORT OF THE WESTERN RITE VICARIATE
This year represents somewhat over a half-century of our Western
Rite project. The first missions were founded in the early 1950’s, following
similar enterprises by the Russian Church, subsequently initiated
by the Orthodox Churches of Poland and Romania. Presently,
the Serbian Church is considering a petition of the French Western
Rite Church to affiliate.
At this writing there are Vicariate parishes in Washington, DC;
Whittier, CA; Denver (2), Boulder, CO; Eustis, Miami, North Miami,
FL; Wichita, KS; Omaha, NE; Melville and Hudson Valley, NY; Fort
Worth, Mesquite and Wichita, TX; Spokane, WA. All except the
Hudson Valley mission have their own church edifices and support
pastors.
Additional missions exist in Florida (1), Illinois (1), Kansas (1),
Texas (3), and Washington (1). These are served by visiting neighboring
pastors, resident clergy (self-supporting) or deacons.
Unlike the usual Archdiocese Missions with scattered Byzantine
Orthodox as a base, the Western parishes represent converts with no
Orthodox background who are attracted by the Western form of worship.
The clergy are graduated from the seminaries used by the
Archdiocese (Holy Cross, St. Tikhon, St. Vladimir), supplemented by
a specialized course at Ligonier taught by Fr. Edward Hughes. One
parish has an assisting priest on loan from the Greek Archdiocese.
There is no organized program of proselytism but interested
inquirers are supplied with information on request. In the badly