12 October 2009
GLORY TO JESUS JESUS CHRIST! GLORY FOREVER!
ХРИСТОС ВОСКРЕС! ВОІСТИНУ ВОСКРЕС! ¡CRISTO HA RESUCITADO! ¡EN VERDAD HA RESUCITADO!
Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church of North & South America and the Diaspora
Michael: st
As you acknowledged in an August 31 email Archbishop Danylo, Bishop Paul Peter, and you make up the permanent voting Synod of the Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church Diaspora (UAOC). In accordance with this statement, the Metropolia’s Charter, and Orthodox Canon Law Archbishop Danylo determined that The Spiritual Court of First Instance must be convened to address your poor judgment, inappropriate behavior, and ongoing absence of leadership to the UAOC over several years. On Saturday, 10 October 2009, at approximately 1 PM Archbishop Danylo and Bishop Paul Peter discussed at length the current situation and long-standing problems that you have created. A vote was taken to remove you as Primate and Metropolitan and bishop of the UAOC-Diaspora. It was further decided to strip you of all sacramental rights as a priest. Following this action Archbishop Danylo convened a session of the Spiritual Court of Appeals to further reflect on the decision. The decision to remove you as Diaspora Primate, Metropolitan, and strip you of being a bishop stands. These actions are permanent and will not be revisited. Your sacramental rights as a priest were restored. These rights, however, will be stripped from you should you hold yourself out as a bishop or Metropolitan. You are no longer to use the word “Vladyka” or any other word that suggests your status as something other than a simple priest. Your vestments as a bishop/Metropolitan should be sold and the money given to charity of your choice. Your failure to comply will necessitate action on your sacramental rights. The Synod has conveyed to Kyiv and the faithful in Europe, Canada, South America, and the United States this necessary and unfortunate action. Should you decide to hold yourself out as a bishop of the UAOC then a public statement will be issued and distributed noting the Synod’s decision and the specific reasons why the action was necessary. In addition, your sacramental rights will be removed and the option of excommunication will be considered. In addition to the Metropolia’s Charter, these actions are taken in accordance to Orthodox Canon Law. The UAOC Synod finds that you have violated the following Canons of the Pedalion or Rudder: •
Canon 14 – As bishop you abandoned your Metropolia by working to establish the Latin Liberation Church. Despite repeated efforts to have you do something as basic as update the Metropolia’s website and show the courtesy to return emails and phone calls you have consistently failed to do so. As shown by the blog entries you have always found time for the Liberation Church at the expense of the UAOC. In addition, over the years the Metropolia has lost several priests due to your inattention to their needs. This is documented.
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