CWNews.com - Representatives of sex-abuse victims in Canada have criticized a Russian Orthodox parish in Vancouver for helping to raise funds for the legal defense of an accused prelate.

In December the Synod of Bishops of the Orthodox Church in America suspended Archbishop Seraphim Storheim of Ottawa, and issued instructions that church groups should not be involved in raising funds for his defense. But the web site of Holy Resurrection parish in Vancouver was still asking supporters to send donations to help “defray legal costs” for the accused Orthodox leader and write letters of support to Archbishop Seraphim, until victims’ representatives protested. The parish subsequently removed the appeals.

The suspended prelate, who denies any wrongdoing, has retained an Edmonton law firm.

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