www.byzcath.org Forums Faith & Christian Life Prayer Please pray for the Eparchy of Parma

Folks,

Just heard on the nightly TV news that the Parma (Ruthenian) clergy conference being held at Sawmill Creek ended on a sorrowful note. A high ranking priest was arrested on Thursday on five counts of improper conduct. I will spare the details of what he did for the police report will eventually make the rounds in the news media.

Please pray for the Eparchy of Parma as we deal with this type of scandalous behavior once again. Unfortunately, my son was watching the news with us. All of our jaws dropped in shock.

If what happened according to the police is true, and I have no reason to doubt it, I hope our bishop will do what he must do in cases like this in order to defend the honor of our Church. For it is about the only time we see our Cathedral on TV.

Shame! Shame! Shame!

Joe

This is definately horrible and sad news. I will pray for our church to be healed of this disease.

As much as this is a trajedy as is with every case, I am glad this occused offender is locked up and not in any posistion to sin in such a capacity.

Prayers.....

I can only guess. Lord, have mercy upon the righteous and cleanse the temple of the wicked.

It is very difficult to witness to my Protestant friends who I left behind when we have not been careful who we ordained and we must be forced by the government to do what is right.

Dan Lauffer :rolleyes:

My, but we're quick to judge without even knowing what happened!

For what it's worth, I found the story online and it was sort of a relief to find out that said priest really harmed nobody and just embarassed himself. (Yes, it's also unfortunate that the Church and Eparchy become embarassed by association.) And if it's due to a reaction to medication, then all the more unfortunate that some of you are already consigning him to the ranks of the "wicked".

Why don't you at least find out what happened before throwing stones, hmmm? And if you can spare a prayer for the "wicked", remember the priest in your prayers too.

I have to agree. Although the behavior in question is far from what one would hope to see in our priests, neither is a one-time indiscretion resulting in misdemeanor charges is going to tarnish the repuration of the eparchy for generations.

Several decades and more than half a lifetime ago I can recall occasions where I over-enjoyed the fruit of the vine. The behavior never involved the authorities, but I'm sure I would not be proud to witness a videotape of the events. I hope that those actions will not cause me to be among the wicked when the temple is cleansed.

-- Ed

Again, please pray for the Eparchy of Parma and those who are troubled with alcohol. Your prayers are needed for the seemingly irresponsible behavior of the priest and the people who may be troubled by seeing their church in the news for depressing reasons once again. Thank you.

Joe

Lemko Rusyn is correct. This priest is one of the most respected in the Eparchy of Parma and has had no history of such problems. Let's act as Christians and assume the best rather than the worst until proven otherwise.

May the Lord bless his Church of Parma and grant her continued growth and prostperity.

May the Lord grant His help to his priests, the saints and the sinners, the strong and the week, and the majority of His priests and people who are advancing His work.

May he grant us all forgiveness for what we do that we ought not.

Lemko,

"My, but we're quick to judge"

I suppose so but the charge goes equally for your judgement.

Generally speaking the offense, now that I've read what it is, is relatively minor if committed by Junior High boys in a locker room.

I suggest we pray for our Eparchy that it gets serious about vocations.

Dan Lauffer

Dan, what are you talking about?

You are the one who called the priest "wicked". I challenge you, Sir, to retract that statement.

You'll be waiting a while Lemko, Dan can't admit when he's done something wrong. Moe

This priest is also close friends with another one of our priest who recently got in troble. I will spare the details. However, in defense of our Parma priest it is said that he was under medications which should not have been taking with alcohol.

We should pray for our priest and to prevent scandal in the church.

Friends,

When this message first came out it appeared that the event was worse than it was. This closing event was a downer. I hope this priest can now retire, or if not that, can spend some time away and get the help he needs and find forgiveness among the people of God. There are many problems with sexual conotations but this does not seem to be among the major problems facing our priests.

Father Loya reported that the message from Bishop John is that our church must look to mission and strategic planning and that the message from our lay people reenforced this. Some of the priests were a bit uncomfortable with the idea of moving out of comfort zones, but who knows, maybe some real changes are about to happen.

Moe, :rolleyes:

I don't see what business this is of yours.

Curly.

As I read the posts on this thread today I was apalled. I see people who claim themselves Christians acting in a most unchristian like way. How many of you sat cozily in your computer chairs comdemning a holy man who made a mistake. As you sat in your cushioned judgement seat, you made your decision without knowing the facts, but rather what you thought had happened or what the media (which none among you can truly call fair and impartial) sensationalizes and then passes on to you. I mean of course, never would the media take up a certain angle or inflate certain facts in order to have a better story, not in this country!! The Plain Dealer hasn't been selling papers lately what with Bush's crusade in Iraq winding down, I'm sure a church scandal would boost circulation, and you all bought it. Have you yourselves become so engulfed in your own lives and in what the media spoon feeds you that you have forgotten what we worked for as we journeyed through the Great Fast. I am reminded of the prayer of st. ephrem that we all know so well after the Fast in which it says "LET ME NOT JUDGE MY BROTHER". Have you omitted this section from your recitation of the prayer or have you perhaps been deemed worthy by yourself to pass judgement upon others. Only God may judge, not us, we are but his humble servants, as is this holy priest. A bad decision was made, beyond that, he is a victim of circumstance. Is this how you repay a man for years of service, you shun him you refuse to attempt to understand or to forgive him, but rather you condemn him as "wicked" and you cry "shame". Dare I say that much shame falls upon you who would quickly abandon a loyal shepard in his hour of need. I pray that the Great Judge is more merciful upon all of us as we stand before His awesome throne. I am speechless that you people could be so cold and callous towards a righteous man, and I pray for him in fervrent support that he might return quickly to his ministry and I pray for all of you that you may serve and represent the Gospel which you are attempting to preach on this thread. Peace to all and especially to this holy priest, as he has prayed for us so must we pray for him for his our brother in Christ.

S'nami boh,
Christopher

Let he who has no sin cast the first stone . . . . . . . . ..

Dear Dan,

Is it true that you can't admit it when you are wrong?

I heard a rumour somewhere to that effect . . .

God bless the Ruthenian Church!

Alex