www.byzcath.org Forums News & Events Church News Metropolitan Jonah tenders resignation

I am deeply saddened.

I met JONAH at the assembly of the Anglican Church of North America last month. He gave an impassioned address to the assembly imploring the continued partnership of "catholic orthodox" believers (his phrase).

If his resignation increases opportunity of a strenthened and more united witness soli Deo Gloria.

The Greeks do not have a canonical leg to stand on for even being able to have an archdiocese in North America. Canonically, the OCA coming under Constantinople is a non starter. The concept of ROCOR coming under the Phanar is laughable.

The anti-canonical situation of American Orthodoxy is very tragic....it brings to the forefront that yes the Church needs a strong primacy to help out in situations like North American Orthodoxy.

To be fair Eastern Catholics of the Byzantine tradition struggle with much of the same problems even with a strong primacy but if Rome wanted to and our hierarchy had the will canonical union of the Greek Catholic Churches in America could happen. I am not sure of American Orthodoxy.

Prayers for Metropolitan Jonah and the OCA.

and what scandal free church did He lead you to?

LOL. We won't see the OCA nor ROCOR coming under the GOA. Ever.

I question whether it would strengthen Orthodox unity in America. It certainly would set back Orthodoxy worldwide.

According to stats, the strength in numbers of regularly Church goers goes to the OCA. And isn't doing things on popular perception a little dangerous?

Why should strengthening ties to Moscow rankle anyone? Except, of course, some (but not all) Greeks and some (but not all) Ukrainians?

Not one at all. I'm Byzantine Catholic. We have had our scandals. Even sexual perversions of a homosexualist nature. Our biggest scandal is our fear of evangelization. But at least we have not broken communion with Rome nor have we had major financial scandals, as far as I know.

I knew I'd start a fight. Perhaps it is hopeless. With Rome? NEVER!

Not going to happen as the pain of the past is still there and the difference in opinion regarding ecumenical affairs is as wide of a gulf as exists within Orthodoxy.

-sigh-

Here is the latest news from the OCA:

http://oca.org/news/headline-news/h...aniel-locum-tenens-bishop-michael-tempor

On Monday, July 9, 2012, His Beatitude, Metropolitan Jonah and the members of the Holy Synod of Bishops met via conference call to further discuss His Beatitude’s resignation, as reported earlier on the web site of the Orthodox Church in America.

The hierarchs issued the following statement at the conclusion of their meeting.

“To the Venerable Clergy, Devout Monastics, and Pious Faithful of the Orthodox Church in America:

“Beloved in Christ, Glory to Jesus Christ! Glory Forever!

“On Friday, July 6, 2012, His Beatitude, Metropolitan Jonah, tendered his resignation as Primate of the Orthodox Church in America. The Holy Synod of Bishops, chaired by His Beatitude, Metropolitan Jonah, met via conference call on Saturday, July 7, 2012. During that meeting, the Holy Synod accepted Metropolitan Jonah’s resignation and deliberated on courses of action.

“On Monday, July 9, 2012, the Holy Synod of Bishops, including Metropolitan Jonah, met again via a conference call to continue those deliberations. Metropolitan Jonah will retain the title ‘His Eminence, Metropolitan Jonah, former Archbishop of Washington and Metropolitan of All-America and Canada.’

“The Holy Synod has appointed the senior hierarch of the Holy Synod, His Eminence, the Most Reverend Nathaniel, Archbishop of Detroit and the Romanian Episcopate, as the Locum Tenens of the Orthodox Church in America. His Eminence, Archbishop Nathaniel will be commemorated in the Liturgy as ‘His Eminence the Most Reverend Nathaniel, Archbishop of Detroit and the Romanian Episcopate, Locum Tenens of the Orthodox Church in America.’

“The Holy Synod has appointed His Grace, the Right Reverend Michael, Bishop of New York and the Diocese of New York and New Jersey, as the Administrator of the Orthodox Church in America.

“The Holy Synod has appointed His Grace, the Right Reverend Alexander, Bishop of Toledo and the Bulgarian Archdiocese, as the Locum Tenens of the Archdiocese of Washington. His Grace will be commemorated in the Liturgy as ‘His Grace, the Right Reverend Alexander, Bishop of Toledo and the Bulgarian Archdiocese, Locum Tenens of the Archdiocese of Washington.’

“The Holy Synod of Bishops is currently discussing arrangements with Metropolitan Jonah and, with all due pastoral consideration, will take into account his requests as outlined in his letter of resignation. The Holy Synod of Bishops will also meet in due time to discuss future plans for the leadership of the Church.

“The Holy Synod thanks Metropolitan Jonah for his considerate decision and requests that the Clergy and Faithful keep Metropolitan Jonah and the Orthodox Church in America in their prayers.

“Assuring you of Our Archpastoral Blessing, We are,

“The Holy Synod of Bishops of the Orthodox Church in America.”

The OCA would benefit by a little more pan-Orthodoxy and a little less ecumenism with non-Orthodox.

It is a discliplinary affair between two Orthodox jurisdictions. As such it should be worked out (or not) by them alone. I don't think too many Ukrainians, Greek Catholic or Orthodox, are going to be "rankled" in North America. It is for those two jurisdictions to decide the best way forward or, more likely, maintain the current status.

I pray and wish the best for the OCA. I have very fond memories of my time spent in OCA parishes.


Precisely, and that's why in spite of this bump in the road the OCA will be fine.

LOL.

Isn't Archbishop Nathaniel a convert to Orthodoxy from the Romanian Greek Catholic community? Bishop Michael's father's side of the family were and are Greek Catholics from SS. Peter and Paul BCC in Endicott, NY.

Yes, Archbishop Nathaniel is a former Eastern Catholic. It's mentioned here [roadtoemmaus.net] (towards the end of the article) in Fr. David Kirk's life story.